A LEGO interpretation of Cape Town’s Bo Kaap has surfaced on the internet, and many locals were not happy with how the ‘product’ portrayed the iconic neighbourhood. People started calling the LEGO company disrespectful, and showcased anger toward the askew racial representation in the design, as well as the avoidance of crucial features of Bo Kaap.

The tweet that started the conversation

The truth revealed 

The actual set design was revealed to have been submitted by a local Wayne Nestadt, as part of a competition back in 2019, where people could vote for it to become an actual for-sale set. It was eventually created, but allegedly not for sale.

A snippet from an IOL article published in September 2019

The set was originally displayed at Canal Walk’s LEGO store opening back in 2019.

However, there is perhaps something to be said about the fact that people are speaking up about representation now, two years later. In just two years opinions have shifted, and people feel more comfortable about vocalising their thoughts now more than before.

Picture: Twitter @GasantAbarder

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