This weekend, the Mall of Africa transforms into a vibrant runway showcasing the latest collections from top South African designers.
Among them is MUNKUS, a contemporary fashion brand with a mission to empower women through its distinct designs.
Founded by Thando Ntuli, MUNKUS draws inspiration from her childhood and upbringing, reflected in every stitch and pattern of her creations. Named after a term familiar from her youth, the brand is more than just a label, it's a reflection of Thando's identity and ethos.
It serves as a reflection of who she is, “Umtwana wasekhaya” as their slogan states.
Thando's mother, Sibongile Mthembu, attests to her daughter's innate talent for fashion, recalling moments from Thando's high school days when she toyed with career aspirations from wanting to be a lawyer, architect, then paediatrician, but ultimately found her passion in design.
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After mommy dearest gave her ‘munkus’ a little nudge in the right direction, she decided to go to fashion school.
“I’d always advise my kids to follow their passion. Thando has always been that person who’d follow fashion, borrow and cut our clothes so I knew that she had talent,” she says.
For Thando, the support and inspiration from her mother have been instrumental in shaping her journey as a designer.
Growing up surrounded by influential women further fuelled her creative vision, leading to a collection that celebrates the resilience and diversity of women in society.
This year’s SA Fashion Week (SAFW) collection sponsored by ISUZU takes this vision to new heights, spotlighting the unsung female heroes of society through each meticulously crafted garment.
"Each look speaks to someone's story, representing the resilience and diversity of women who make a difference in their communities," Thando reveals.
"With this collection in collaboration with ISUZU, initially, I thought it was all about functionality and durability, which really resonates with MUNKUS. But now, we're also aiming to appeal to a market that values fun and practicality while staying fashionable. So, there's this new dynamic where we're blending functionality with a sense of playfulness,” she explains.
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“I envisioned all these colours standing together, reminiscent of those moments when you see a convoy of cars on a road trip, each unique yet unified. So, I imagined this family road trip scenario, with all the different colours coming together, and that's the essence of the collection."
However, Thando's vision extends far beyond the confines of creating garments for SAFW. With projects ranging from uniform design for a prominent food franchise to the creation of a revolutionary fashion hub in the works, she seeks to empower emerging designers and elevate South Africa's creative landscape to new heights.
"I want MUNKUS to be more than just a brand; I want it to empower other young and upcoming designers" Ntuli declares. "And as for me, as long as I'm happy and creating, I know I'll be right where I belong."
Since its debut at SA Fashion Week in 2022, MUNKUS has emerged as a bold and authentic designer brand, weaving a tapestry of colours, textures, and narratives that transcend borders and blur boundaries.
