From the quiet town of Emalahleni in Mpumalanga to the buzzing streets of Johannesburg, Muhle Matthew has built a bold and inspiring path. Raised in a Christian home as the second of four siblings, her story is rooted in faith, family, and a love for the arts, foundations that shaped her into a dynamic creator, entrepreneur, and visionary.
Her passion for the arts was nurtured by her community and cultural heritage, finding expression through poetry, music, and painting. Relocating to Johannesburg in 2010 marked the beginning of her artistic awakening.
At Varsity College, she merged artistry with strategy, winning the Varsity College Idols competition and performing in acclaimed theatre productions at Joburg Theatre and Soweto Theatre. These years proved her creativity could stand alongside her ambition.
Muhle’s journey was woven through diverse experiences: working in Braamfontein at MarketSA, contributing to television productions like Strictly Come Dancing, and freelancing at Media24 to fund her projects. These chapters instilled diligence, integrity, accountability, and teamwork. As she often says, “Being a creative doesn’t mean working for free.”
Professionally, she thrived as a marketer and brand strategist. Starting as an intern at Propertuity, the team behind Maboneng Precinct, she rose to marketing coordinator and later held leadership roles at Quorum Property, Dimension Data, and NTT, managing portfolios across Africa, Singapore, and London. These roles gave her global perspective and sharpened her skills in strategy, branding, and innovation.
In 2024, Muhle and her partner acquired MaLwandle’s House, a fashion and creative hub in Braamfontein that has become a sanctuary for musicians, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Its performance series, Live Moments at MaLwandle’s House, is already a platform for independent artistry in Johannesburg.
That same year, she launched Akwande, her ready-to-wear street fashion line, blending personal design with strategic intention. For her, fashion is a mindset, about individuality, confidence, and standing out.
After over a decade in the corporate world, Muhle now focuses on transforming business through creative, human-centered strategies. Through her ventures in fashion, art, and brand leadership, she continues to champion spaces where creativity and commerce thrive together.
Recognized as a 2022 GQ South Africa Best-Dressed Reader nominee, Muhle embodies elegance while building a legacy that inspires women to pursue their passions with courage.
More than a founder, Muhle is a connector, storyteller, and cultural curator. Her journey from small-town beginnings to global creative influence shows how passion, discipline, and vision can create extraordinary impact. Elevé celebrates her as a Woman of Impact whose story inspires a generation to pursue dreams unapologetically and on their own terms.