Ethnic dolls big hit with black kids

TOYS REPRESENTATIVE OF DEMOGRAPHICS What started as hair business for African women has mushroomed.

When two business-minded women decided to start a company that specialised in 100% natural, textured hair extensions – which are a better match to the hair of African women – they had no idea that they’d branch out into something quite unexpected, hugely original and extremely necessary to build confidence among young black girls. And it had nothing to do with hair.

Khulile Vilakazi-Ofosu, from South Africa, and Caroline Hlahla, from Zimbabwe, started Bounce Essentials to fill a gap in the market that saw black women struggle to find hair extensions that looked and felt natural.

However, as their clientele grew, Vilakazi-Ofosu and Hlahla noticed the identities and confidence of young black girls was a constant talking point among their customers – one that inspired them.

They recognised a lack of black and mixed-heritage dolls with which children of similar ethnic persuasion could better identify.

Vilakazi-Ofosu also noticed her toddler daughter kept asking for blonde, straight hair, like on the majority of dolls in stores.

So, the Sibahle Collection, which is more accurately representative of children of African and Caribbean descent, was created.

“Our first doll is called Nobuhle, ‘Buhle” for short, which is a Zulu word that means, ‘The one that represents beauty’.

“Her hair is the most distinguishing feature,” the business partners said in a statement.

The popularity of and demand for the dolls has been so overwhelming that the pair have also launched Sibahle dolls with albinism and vitiligo.

The journey to create these dolls has not been without hurdles.

Vilakazi-Ofosu and Hlahla say when they approached manufactures with their idea they were turned away, with the usual response being: “Black dolls just do not sell.”

This possibly had something to with the fact that, when manufacturers did try to put ethnic dolls on shelves, they were usually poorly conceived and badly constructed dolls that were all painted black.

Sibahle dolls have uniquely different features and skin tone, just like children everywhere who need to know they are beautiful and unique, just the way they are.

Sibahle is partnered with two young SA clothing designers and is confident the demand for the dolls will help them create more jobs and empower many more women.

Our first doll under the collection is called Nobuhle – Buhle for short, which is a Zulu word that means, ‘the one that represents beauty’. Khulile Vilakazi-Ofosu and Caroline Hlahla