Our Story
M’simbi was born out of love, courage, and a mother’s determination to teach her daughter self-acceptance.
In 2016, while working with UNICEF in Nigeria, Maingaila Moono noticed that her daughter, Lindiwe, was becoming increasingly unhappy with her appearance. Surrounded mostly by Caucasian friends at school, Lindiwe began to believe that lighter skin and silky hair were the only definitions of beauty.
Determined to change that narrative, Maingaila searched for a doll that looked like her daughter but found none. Refusing to give up, she created one herself. That first doll, modeled after Lindiwe’s features, became the first M’simbi doll. Soon, friends, neighbors, and parents wanted the same for their children — proof that representation mattered deeply.
What started as a personal solution quickly became a movement. From selling out 200 dolls at the Lusaka Kids Festival, to opening the first M’simbi store in 2018, the brand grew into more than just dolls. M’simbi means “girl” in many Zambian languages, and our mission has always been clear: to teach girls self-love, confidence, and pride in their identity.
Today
Today, M’simbi is a lifestyle brand loved by children across Zambia and beyond. With backpacks, clothing, accessories, and dolls, we celebrate childhood with color, creativity, and cultural pride. Guided by our belief to Dream, Believe, Achieve and Inspire, we continue to shape a movement that empowers children everywhere.
Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, M’simbi adapted by manufacturing locally and expanding product lines. We are also taking steps into global markets, reaching children in the UK, USA, and beyond.
Our dolls, carrying the message Naturally Beautiful, are at the heart of this journey teaching children to embrace who they are with confidence and pride. But M’simbi is not just about products; it’s about community. Through education, workshops, and programs, we invest in nurturing self-love and representation.
From a single doll to a growing lifestyle empire, M’simbi continues to be a story of hope, representation, and joy proving that every child deserves to see themselves as beautiful, valuable, and powerful. 💜
