Nelson Mandela was the first democratically elected president of South Africa. This action figure speaks 23 unique phrases.
Here's a close-up. It's a decent likeness to the real Mandela, but he looks more like Morgan Freeman to me.
He is a fully articulated action figure. He wears a very nice 3 piece suit with a lined jacket and vest. He wears socks and he has on boxer shorts under his suit. I love the detail of the handkerchief in his pocket, and he has a nice tie. He can pose very easily and naturally. Here he is seated.
Here's a quick comparison with other action figures. They are from left to right: Tobias Alsford, Samuel Wilson, Nelson Mandela, Curtis, and President Palmer.
Mandela had a lot to say upon being released from his box again, so he borrowed MLK's podium.
Here he is on a previous occasion where he was released from his box, posing with other Presidents (real and fictional) and baby Krissy.
Overall, he's an extremely nice action figure, and I love the company's emphasis on education and discovery of the world's greatest contributors. I love having a male doll that represents an age that is older than most of my dolls. He doesn't leave his box much, and I suppose that's because of the historical significance of the person that he represents. He doesn't look much like the real Mandela, so I suppose I could include him in doll play a little more frequently. On the other hand, he and my Harriet Tubman doll may stay in their boxes watching from the sidelines as my other dolls have all the fun.
***Edited to add this photo showing his articulation. These are the boxers that he comes with. There is a speaker on his chest, and a button to push to hear him speak. He speaks in the real voice of Nelson Mandela. The battery compartment is on his back.
I have him and agree with your assessment. Except for photos taken for the post I wrote about him a few years ago, mine never leaves his box either for the same reason: his historical significance. I did buy a replacement battery for my figure, who was mute at the time my post was written. I enjoy the fact that the recording is in the actual voice of Nelson R Mandela.
ReplyDeletedbg
Hi Debbie! I have never heard mine speak. I need to get him a battery, and I am extremely nervous to open any battery compartment on the doll at this point, but that's something that I need to do since it's on my mind. I don't want to go several more years and have whatever situation is going on in there to get worse. I took my doll out years ago for a series of photos called "4 Presidents", and I thought that I had posted it to this blog, but I didn't. I've shared one of the photos above.
DeleteWhatever is going on in there is probably just a case of a dead battery. He requires one of the disk batteries. I don't remember the size, but the box should indicate. You'll need a Phillips screwdriver to open the battery compartment, if memory serves me correctly.
Deletedbg
Well, you gave me the courage to open the battery compartment, and thankfully there was no corrosion after all these years. I had some batteries here, and I heard Nelson Mandela say about 3 phrases before those batteries went dead. I'll have to get some new batteries. In the meantime, I've left him in his boxers, so I'll probably take more photos at a later date to show his articulation.
DeleteNelson Mandela was indeed a great leader and one of the most inspirational people of our time. I can see why you don't let him out to play very often.
ReplyDeleteI like all of your presidential figures although Bill Clinton does have kind of a goofy expression!
Thank you, Phyllis! Bill Clinton's doll does look a bit caricaturish. And the Obama doll is constantly yelling and pointing. I thought about letting my other expressionless Obama out of his box to pose with Mandela, but decided against it. Perhaps I'll let him out soon. The other presidents have all come out to play, so...
DeleteWhat a brilliant figure to have - I'm not 100% sold on the likeness, but that's definitely his signature smile that they captured there!
ReplyDeleteThank you, jSarie! Yeah, the likeness is not great, but I like him. :)
DeleteVery nice! How did you lean he was out there? Is his eye green? It that creative license or are Nelson Mandela's eyes green?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ms. Leo! I'm pretty sure that I learned about this figure from Black Doll Enthusiast. She noted in one of her books that Mandela arrived at her home on May 6, 2009. I ordered mine on May 10, 2009. I'm pretty sure that wasn't a coincidence. :) I find it bizarre that the toy manufacturer decided to make his eyes green. Nelson Mandela's eyes were not green.
DeleteI don't know why but the photo of all the president's with the baby is tickling me. Like it could be some movie poster for "Four President's and a Baby."
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that it amuses you, Muff. When I first took the photo, it was part of a series:
DeleteFour Presidents and a King: Michael Jackson
Four Presidents and a Queen: RuPaul
Four Presidents and a Baby: Krissy
Four Presidents and a Little Lady: Miniature Uhura
And then President Palmer says "I'm not really a President, but I play one on TV."
I thought that I had posted this to my blog, but hadn't. After Michael Jackson died, I didn't want to anymore.
Where is the battery compartment???????
ReplyDeleteOk now I see. Thanks
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for the late reply. I'm glad that you found your answer.
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