Picture: Supplied
BONA had the privilege of speaking with a woman redefining South African fashion through bold creativity, authenticity, and purpose: Londeka Buthelezi-Ndaba.
The visionary founder of one of South Africa’s hottest emerging fashion labels, Malondie, has captured the industry’s attention with designs that celebrate identity, elegance, and modern African style.
Check out our Q&A with the designer.
Also see: Sowetan fashion designer helps shape future of African luxury design
BONA: What does living authentically mean to you as a South African woman?
Londeka: Living authentically means refusing to shrink yourself to fit into other people’s expectations. As a South African woman, I’ve learned that authenticity is about embracing where you come from, celebrating your culture, and allowing your story to shape your purpose rather than limit it.
As the founder of Malondie, I design for women who are unapologetic about who they are. My work isn’t about following trends; it’s about helping women express themselves confidently and beautifully.
BONA: How has your upbringing impacted the kind of individual and fashion lover you are today?
Londeka: I grew up surrounded by strong women who taught me resilience before I fully understood its meaning. Some of my fondest memories are from visiting my grandmother’s home in KwaZulu-Natal. At night, her garden would light up with beautiful fireflies, and every morning the flowers would open as soon as the sun touched them. Those memories stayed with me.
Today they have become the symbols of my SS26 collection because they remind me that beauty and strength often exist quietly until the moment it’s time to shine. My upbringing taught me to appreciate storytelling, and that’s exactly what fashion has become for me.
BONA: How has fashion helped you rediscover confidence and self-expression?
Londeka: Fashion became my language long before it became my career. There were moments where words couldn’t fully express who I was becoming, but the clothes I designed could. Building Malondie also required confidence. As a female entrepreneur, there are moments of uncertainty, but every collection reminds me why I started: to create pieces that help women feel powerful, beautiful and seen.
BONA: How do you embrace trends whilst still keeping true to the Malondie brand?
Londeka: We pay attention to trends because fashion should always feel current, but trends never dictate our identity. At Malondie, every design must tell a story first. If a trend helps us tell that story better, we’ll embrace it. If it doesn’t, we leave it behind. Our customer invests in timeless confidence rather than temporary fashion.
BONA: How has your design philosophy evolved and how is that reflected in the SS26 collection?
Londeka: When I started, I focused on creating beautiful garments. Today, I focus on creating emotional experiences. Every collection asks one question: “How should a woman feel when she wears this?”
With SS26, the answer is powerful. The collection celebrates women through the symbolism of the sun and the firefly. Naturally, they radiate light without asking permission. That perfectly represents the women Malondie designs for.
BONA: What inspired the vision behind this collection, and what story are you hoping to tell with it?
Londeka: This collection is called Power of She, and it celebrates women who illuminate every space they enter. The inspiration came from my childhood memories of fireflies glowing in my grandmother’s garden and flowers opening when touched by the morning sun.
Those two symbols represent women. Women bring life; they nurture families, lead businesses, shape communities, and change the world. This collection reminds every woman that her light is already within her.
BONA: Women’s Month is a celebration of resilience, individuality and achievement. How do these influence your work as a designer?
Londeka: They influence everything I create. The women who wear Malondie are mothers, executives, entrepreneurs, creatives and leaders. I don’t design for one version of a woman; I design for every woman who has had to overcome something. Resilience is stitched into every garment because every woman has a story worth celebrating.
BONA: When women wear Malondie, how do you hope they feel?
Londeka: I want them to feel powerful before anyone compliments them. I want them to walk taller, smile bigger, and remember exactly who they are. If a woman leaves the fitting room believing she can walk into any room with confidence, then we’ve done our job. Fashion should never wear the woman. The woman should always wear the fashion.
Also see: How designer Lukhanyo Mdingi merges heritage and luxury fashion
BONA: What does Women’s Month personally mean to you, and how are you celebrating the women who have inspired your fashion journey?
Londeka: Women’s Month reminds me of every woman who helped shape the person I am today. It reminds me of my mother who inspired my whole fashion journey. It reminds me of my grandmother, whose garden inspired this collection.
It reminds me of the women who believed in Malondie before the world knew the brand. And it reminds me of every customer who wears Malondie with confidence. The SS26 collection is my tribute to all of them. Every sun motif and every firefly represent a woman whose light deserves to be seen and celebrated.
When asked what’s that one message she could leave women with, Londeka said: “Never underestimate the power you carry. Like the sun, you were created to rise. Like the firefly, you were created to shine, even in the darkest moments. I hope that every woman who experiences Malondie remembers that her light has always been enough.”
Also see: Local Fashion Police reveals 2026 judges as 6th edition kicks off
Featured image: Supplied
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