LIRA becomes first African role model to have a Barbie doll made in her honour
HOUGHTON ESTATE – Lira was honoured to become the first African role model as part of the Barbie campaign in celebration of their 60th anniversary.
Ahead of Women’s Day, singer and local celebrity Lira (Lerato Molapo) was honoured to become the first African role model of doll brand Barbie at a ceremony at Munro Boutique Hotel in Houghton Estate.
Lira was excited to have a Barbie doll made to look just like her as part of Barbie’s role model campaign.
Brand manager for Barbie in South Africa Terusha Naidoo said Barbie had evolved to become the world’s most representative doll line including dolls with ethnic diversity, body diversity, Ken diversity and physical disability introduced in recent years.
The role model campaign forms part of Barbie’s Dream Gap Project, which seeks to raise awareness around the limiting factors that prevent girls from reaching their full potential.
Naidoo said, “Research has shown that starting at the age of five, many girls are less likely than boys to view their gender as smart and begin to lose confidence in their own competence. This is as a result of cultural stereotypes, implicit biases and representation in the media which work together to promote the idea that being gifted is an inherent male quality.”
General manager and senior vice-president for Barbie Lisa McKnight said, “The Barbie brand believes girls should never know a world, job or dream women haven’t conquered. Through our global role model programme, we are shining a spotlight on inspiring women such as Lira to show girls they can be anything.”
Lira said, “I feel so honoured to be the first African to be bestowed this honour. This doll reflects who I am as she wears proudly South African clothes. It is so affirming to be given the honour of being the 50th role model around the world.”
Lira added that she identified with the Dream Gap Project since she used to be an accountant and gave it up to become a singer.
“People would tell me that no one sings for a living but I wanted to be true to myself and now I have made six albums. I hope to lead by the light of the example and inspire young girls to be the best they can be. The more young girls see what’s possible, the more they can achieve.”
Lira described how she was inspired by Miriam Makeba to accept the invitation to perform at the Taormina Film Festival in Italy in 2011. “The only black person who performed on that stage before me was none other than Miriam. She gave me permission to believe it was possible.
“If all of us live authentically, we give everyone else the opportunity to do the same.”
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