Girl’s ‘danasoli’ dinosaur sketch a hit on social media

A Six-year-old Grade R pupil who botched a dinosaur art project in class has become a social media sensation after the video interacting with her teacher over her would-be dinosaur went viral.

Nhlalonhle Mazubane, a pupil from Mveloyamaswazi Primary School, in Nhlungwane, Ulundi, now has the honour of having a children’s clothing line named after her mispronounced word, danasoli. It was her attempt to say “dinosaur”.

For now, the Danasoli apparel is only available in T-shirts, an idea that came about through Durban entrepreneur Themba Mthembu, who took a liking to the humorous learner and made contact with her class teacher, Nonhlanhla Dube, and the girl’s grandmother, Ntombizodwa Langa.

So keen has been potential customers’ interest in the T-shirts that Mthembu could barely keep up with orders. Renowned author Dudu

Busani-dube, whose series of books are now a popular telenovela, The Wife, on Showmax, is one of the customers who was waiting in line to order the apparel.

The viral video was recorded by Nhlalonhle’s teacher, Dube.

In it, Nhlalonhle is heard pleading with Dube, who she calls “mfethu” (my brother) to forgive her as she’s unable to draw the picture of the dinosaur (which she pronounces as danasoli) and proceeds reluctantly to open her art book, with the mangled dinosaur that hardly has any resemblance to the extinct creature.

“Nhlalonhle is full of jokes, she makes our home a place of laughter, she’s our comedian. I was shocked to see how popular the video had become and her father was surprised, but we are happy that there are people who have seen an opportunity to make a clothing line on her behalf. We want to see the partnership grow,” said her grandma, Ntombizodwa Langa.

This is Dube’s second year with Nhlalonhle as she was also her teacher when the child began Grade RR last year.

Dube, who is from esikhawini, arrived at Mveloyamaswazi in 2010. She described Nhlalonhle as a clever child, who is assertive and talkative and enjoys being the centre of attention.

“I love children and doing different tasks with them, they learn without realising that they are learning as they enjoy the fun tasks and the videos we take. We always take many videos but this one was loved by so many people. My wish is to continue to upskill myself so that they get the best education from me. I’m currently busy obtaining my degree,“said Dube.

The principal, Jabu Makhunga, said Dube was great with children and always ensured that there was equality among her pupils, even though they came from different backgrounds.

During the visit to the school, Sizophila Mkhize of the Sizophila Samaritan Foundation bought Nhlalonhle’s family Christmas groceries.

Mthembu said this week’s meeting with Nhlalonhle’s family was an introductory one and was meant to outline their plans for the clothing line.

“People are already enquiring about the availability of the T-shirts. We will endeavour to protect the Danasoli trademark and see that proceeds from the sale of the clothing line go to

Nhlalonhle’s education to ensure that she’s taken care of,” said Mthembu.

Langa dismissed rumours that they had filed a complaint against Dube, using the SA Schools Act, for recording a video of Nhlalonhle without their permission. Instead, she cited the good fortunes that have come about since the video started circulating.

“I am grateful to Mrs Dube for what she did. Why would we be unhappy over something this good?” said Langa.

On December 16, Nhlalonhle will be a VIP guest of the cultural diversity appreciation pageant, Indoni Miss Cultural SA, at the Durban ICC.

Dube is pleased with how the video panned out and said as a teacher in a rural school she tried to expose her learners to a world that’s not easily accessible to them.

Nhlalonhle was uncharacteristically shy and quiet during the visit and said little, except that she was happy.