In a world full of misfortune Sulinda Muller believes in giving second chances, not only to vintage clothing, but to people as well.
In 2012 the vintage store Second Chances by Malaki opened its doors to the Stellenbosch community. This unique second-hand clothing store is located in Ryneveld Street and has a vision of unity and women empowerment.
Miyanke Ferreira in Malaki’s vintage clothing (left) and Kaylynn Jane Oosthuizen in Rea’Nubia’s creation (right) Photo: Ingrid Kluckow
Sulinda Muller (51), founder of Second Chances by Malaki and a mother of three, is well known throughout Stellenbosch. Her reputation and kindness assist in helping less fortunate women, whether it be by a random acts of kindness or the creation of a job opportunity.
Random Acts of Kindness
One of Muller’s many acts of generosity took place in 2017 when a young woman entered her clothing store with the hope of earning some money by selling an entrepreneurial item. Beanca (who wishes to keep her surname unknown), had a dream of finishing her school career and pursuing a life in the finance sector.
Muller decided to help Beanca to reach her goal. With a percentage of the profit generated by Second Chances by Malaki, Muller was able to assist Beanca, by then 35 years old, in completing her school career.
Beanca is currently busy with her final matric subjects and she is also an avid pet photographer. Despite suffering a stroke and being diagnosed with autoimmune neutropenia, a condition that causes an individual’s antibodies to destroy their white blood cells, Beanca is helping young school children with math extra classes. Beanca believes that helping students “is a way to pay it forward”.
Another individual whose life was transformed by the generosity which Second Chances by Malaki prides itself on, is Jessica Keyter (25), a waitress at a local coffee shop. Muller gave Keyter the opportunity to undergo a dental procedure in order to be more confident.
Keyter was on her way to work one morning in the winter of 2016 when a man attacked her with a golf club. This unexpected act of violence left her with broken front teeth and a cracked skull.
After undergoing the dental transformation, partly paid for by Second Chances by Malaki, Keyter can now enter any situation with a smile. Ever since her dental transformation, Keyter has had the courage to “live, laugh and fight for what I want in life”.
Jessica Keyter (right) and her friend Linda Trautman in the first photo taken after her dental transformation. Photo: Supplied
Creating job opportunities
Muller has recently opened another clothing store, Malaki, which specialises in local fashion. Nolitha Qhuma (30), who is proud to call Khayelitsha her home, is one of the South African women to whom Muller gives the opportunity to sell their clothing at the new Malaki store.
Qhuma is the designer of her own fashion line “Rea’Nubia”, which means “real African”. According to Qhuma her designs are inspired by anything African whether it be architecture, history or people.
Muller and Qhuma make the ideal team. Muller is “not into fashion, but into people” and Qhuma is a fashionista. According to Qhuma, she wants to create designs that will be of “breathtaking timeless fashion” and that will serve an international clientele.
Designer Nolitha Qhuma (left) and owner of Malaki and Second Chances by Malaki, Sulinda Muller (right), standing beside one of Rea’Nubia’s designs. Photo: Supplied
Muller has big dreams for Malaki. Her dream is for it to become a space of creativity where women who are unemployed can unite and empower one another.
Currently, the profit of Second Chances by Malaki is used to cover the cost of operations at Malaki, as well as the new vintage fashion line Muller is producing.
Once the new vintage line has been established and generates enough profit, the growth and extension of Malaki will lead to the creation of more job opportunities.
Mari van Lill proudly wearing a vintage dress from Second Chances. Photo: Ingrid Kluckow