Londeka Buthelezi-Ndaba

Londeka Buthelezi-Ndaba, 34, is the founder and creative designer behind Malondie, one of South Africa’s most exciting emerging fashion brands. With a blend of entrepreneurial instinct, artistic flair and legal acumen, Buthelezi-Ndaba has positioned her brand not only as a fashion house but as a movement of identity, self-expression and African excellence. Born in Ulundi and brought up in Durban, her journey reflects a balance between rural roots and urban ambition. Initially aspiring to be a scientist, Londeka’s career pivoted as her love for design and creativity emerged, inspired in part by her stylish mother and entrepreneurial father. That heritage continues to influence her designs and leadership. Her resume is as multidimensional as her approach. She holds a national diploma in tourism management, a bachelor of laws (LLB) and is completing an MBA at Unisa. She also studied fashion design at Vega School. Her business was launched with bold vision and a desire to create wearable stories for modern African women. From opening a store in Menlyn Mall in Pretoria to producing the acclaimed Malondie: Summer in the Park show, she has redefined what it means to be a fashion entrepreneur in South Africa. Buthelezi-Ndaba’s collaborations with AFI, Bernini and other major platforms have expanded Malondie’s influence across commercial and cultural spheres. At the heart of her work is a deep-seated passion — a love for building something lasting, meaningful and uniquely African.

• National Diploma in Tourism Management, Durban University of Technology
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of South Africa (Unisa)
• Currently completing: Master of Business Administration (MBA), University of South Africa (Unisa)
• Short Courses: Fashion Design, Vega School, Pretoria and Business Administration, University of South Africa (Unisa)

• Opening a store at Menlyn Mall (2017): Launching a retail space at one of South Africa’s largest malls marked a major career milestone. The experience provided valuable insights into business operations and leadership. One of the most important lessons was recognising the value of human capital — investing in team members, building their skills and viewing them as assets essential to the brand’s growth.
• Malondie: Summer in the Park (2022): The first independently produced fashion show remains a defining moment for the brand. It created a bold statement of identity and significantly increased brand awareness. The event continues to open doors commercially, positioning Malondie as a movement for modern African women.
• Bernini x Malondie Collaboration: Designed promotional uniforms for the Bernini team, blending both brand identities. The collaboration created visibility across new markets and led to additional business opportunities — supporting long-term sustainability goals for the brand.
• AFI Collaboration: Partnering with African Fashion International (AFI) expanded Malondie’s reach to new audiences and elevated its presence in the fashion space. The collaboration brought strong media exposure and helped cement the brand’s cultural relevance. It highlighted the strategic power of collaboration in a competitive industry.

Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe is both a role model and mentor. A significant influence in the building of my career, she encouraged the pursuit of an MBA to understand not just fashion, but the business behind it. Her resilience and perseverance in the fashion industry are admirable. The passion and motivation she brings to her work remain unmatched.