INSPIRING: A mother wanted to get a doll for her daughter that looked like her...
Which doll represents you the best?
As a mother and as a woman raising daughters, it can be a bit daunting but so empowering.
Daunting because you want to make sure that you bring her up believing in herself, seeing her beauty, and not being poisoned by what society deems beautiful.
Empowering because you can use this opportunity to share things with your daughter that you wish you had as a young girl. It can be your chance to revolutionise parenting.
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Teaching your child about affirming herself daily, showing her that as much as the world may not be a fair and just place, what matters is how you approach each situation and your self worth.
This mother from Gauteng did just that as she decided to start a collection of African dolls that allowed her daughter, and other little girls, to experience the diversity of toys and have their dolls look like them.
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When Mmule Ramothibe's daughter shared with her that she wanted a doll, the one thing that she wanted for her daughter, as a mother, was for her to have a doll that looked like her.
After going out shopping in their area, they were unable to find any dolls that were representative of their heritage.
"Mmule just assumed that while she had grown up being exposed to “Lady B” dolls, it would be different for her daughter. That’s when she decided that it was time to be part of the change she wanted to see." (News24)
We went from one shop to the next and it was quite shocking to see there was no doll that represented African girls. The dolls that were of colour were charcoal black and looked quite scary for a child to want to pick up and play with it.
She shares part of her story on Instagram and it just makes the conceptualisation and launch of a Proudly South African brand even more inspiring.
"14 years ago, I was diagnosed with a condition Drs told me there is no cure for it. Today, I am completely healed. It has been 8 years. What used to be my pain, is now my pleasure. Resilience, tenacity, perseverance, knowledge, ambition and hope, kept me going. I triumphed against all odds. They said No cure. I said Yes cure. Today, I own and manage a holistic wellness spa. RESET Detox centre. A centre I build from my pain. We can never connect the dots looking forward. Whatever it is that you are going through, always know, even this, shall come to pass….Be resilient. Triumph!! What is your story. Make it worth telling…It might save someone else." (Instagram)
Her story is both inspiring and motivational and reminds us that our heritage can sometimes be represented in the most diverse ways. "The dolls, which are clothed in traditional Sesotho, Isizulu, IsiNdebele, Siswati, Sepedi and Setswana garments, among others, are designed to evoke SA’s heritage." (News24)
As much as Mmule designs the clothing that the dolls are adorned with and also selects the fabric, she does not sew the outfits. The sewing is done by local women, which provides them with employment and since the pandemic they have started including masks on the dolls, which Nandipha enjoys making.
We are celebrating you Mmule and Nandipha and that special bond between a mother and child...
Image Courtesy of Instagram