The Rise of Momppy Mpoppy and Maite Makgoba’s Journey in Representation

The Rise of Momppy Mpoppy and Maite Makgoba’s Journey in Representation. When Maite Makgoba founded Momppy Mpoppy, a fashion-forward black doll, she did more than launch a toy. She redefined beauty standards for South African girls by offering a doll that truly reflects them. From a township upbringing and a career as a linguist and military staffer at SANDF, Maite was driven by one clear belief: children should see their worth in the mirror, not in Eurocentric norms.

Seeing a Gap and Owning the Space

In 2013 Maite saw something missing. She noticed available black dolls were dressed in ethnic costumes or looked outdated: “frumpy and unattractive… That is not the reality of today,” she said. Drawing inspiration from her niece, she launched Momppy Mpoppy through her company, Childish Trading and Manufacturing. The goal was simple yet powerful: a stylish black doll dressed in denim, ballerina skirts, and high heels, ready for modern play.

Passion Fused With Purpose

For Maite, Momppy Mpoppy was more than a product. It became a movement aimed at shifting self-image for young African girls. Her vision? Encourage pride in dark skin and coily hair while inviting broader audiences to embrace diversity. When interviewed, she spoke simply: “we are creating awareness, that our dark skin and thick Afro hair are pretty as they are”.

This authenticity resonated. Customers piled into local shops, social media buzz grew, and Moms reported improved self-esteem among children playing with the dolls.

Building a Local Lifestyle Brand

From the start Maite chose local over global. Doll molds came from China, but the rest, styling, clothing, packaging, happened in her two-room warehouse in Johannesburg. Each outfit, like “Rockstar Tutu” and “Denim Dungaree Delicious”, was hand-sewn, packaged locally, and priced affordably at around R180 to connect with South African families.

She expanded deliberately. By 2015 dolls sold in Lilliputs Toys at Rosebank Mall and online at Takealot, with plans to enter large retail chains once production scaled. Her approach earned attention from media like Guardian, Elle, and AFK Insider, reinforcing Momppy Mpoppy as a culturally rooted lifestyle icon.

Turning Challenges into Character

Maite faced typical start-up hurdles, limited funds, manufacturing delays, and investor hesitation. But she met each head-on. She used personal savings, vetting doll samples carefully with a Chinese manufacturer to accurately reflect African features. Later, she sought government support, formal retail partners, and talent from Soweto, ensuring team growth aligned with community impact.

Strategic Expansion Without Losing Soul

Even as production increased, Maite refused to cut corners. Her next steps included designing a range of African skin tones, creating matching outfits for children, and pursuing multimedia extensions, like storybooks and cartoons.

While scaling up, she remained true to Momppy’s mission: fostering pride, celebrating culture, and empowering young girls to see themselves in powerful roles, as princesses, as creators, as leaders.

Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

• Identify a real gap: A genuine need, diverse representation, was the brand’s foundation.
• Build near where you live: Local production of clothing and styling amplified authenticity.
• Dream big, scale smart: Starting with one mold led to broader ranges and media visibility.
• Launch with your own funds: Personal stake attracts real partners and builds trust.
• Embed purpose in the product: Momppy Mpoppy became more than a toy, it became a self-esteem tool.

What Comes Next

Momppy Mpoppy is evolving. Maite is refining molds, adding skin tone options, building a children’s clothing line, and eyeing storybooks and cartoons to deepen the brand’s lifestyle appeal. Her endgame? A household name that redefines beauty standards across South Africa and beyond.