Mickey Mouse gets South African makeover for 90th birthday
Mickey Mouse is celebrating his 90th birthday and it is being celebrated worldwide with each country putting its own spin on our favorite mouse.
Disney Africa invited 10 South African artists to give their own take on nearly 6-feet tall Mickey Mouse statues. The results ranged from a pantsula outfit to brightly colored waistcoat and trousers of a ceremonial outfit traditionally worn by Zulu men to spray paint graffiti styles.
According to the Associated Press, Disney’s South African project was an opportunity to “make him African,” said artist Phumzile Buthelezi adding: “Somehow I portrayed my history.”
The South African artists were asked to stay away from sensitive issues such as politics and religion.
The Mickey’s are now on display at a Johannesburg shopping center and will also travel around the country.
Disney is going all out to celebrate Mickey’s birthday – he first appeared in “Steamboat Willie” on Nov 18, 1928 – with a two-hour television special, a lot of merchandise and other surprises at the various theme parks around the world.
