Floyd Mahlake, better known as Fizzo or simply Haii Suka, is a 36-year-old visionary from the dusty streets of Phelendaba Trust in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga. What started as a modest dream with just ten T-shirts in 2010 has evolved into a powerful brand and social movement that continues to inspire and uplift his community.
His shop, Haii Suka Concepts Store, is now proudly located on the R40 Main Road in Casteel, opposite the local pharmacy. But the journey to this point was far from easy.
“I started the brand back in 2010 with only 10 T-shirts, which were sold out within a week,” Mahlake recalls. “From there, the rest was history.” Inspired by local entrepreneur Macdonald Hlompho Lekhuleni known as Masta H who also ran a clothing brand, Mahlake found the courage and creative spark to start his own.
The name “Haii Suka” wasn’t just a random choice. Mahlake says it stemmed from a phrase he and many others frequently used. Wanting to build something relatable, memorable, and proudly local, he spent time brainstorming concepts, ideas, and a logo. Eventually, Haii Suka – Better Than Swag was born.
But the brand is about far more than just clothing.
Driven by his deep-rooted sense of community and compassion, Mahlake launched a powerful initiative through his store: donating sanitary pads to schoolgirls in need. He began handing out pads for free at the shop specifically to learners recognising how many young girls lack access to this basic necessity.
“There are kids who can’t afford even a single pack of pads. Some don’t even understand what’s happening to their bodies, and many don’t have parents or someone to talk to about these issues,” Mahlake explains. “That’s why I started the Haii Suka
Concepts Store campaign drive to ensure our sisters can go to school confidently and not skip classes because of their periods.”
Through this initiative, Mahlake isn’t just selling clothes he’s restoring dignity and opening conversations that matter.
Looking to the future, Mahlake has big dreams for his brand. He envisions Haii Suka opening stores across South Africa and becoming a platform for youth empowerment. His mission includes creating job opportunities, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, and teaching young people the ropes of branding and business.
“I want to see the brand grow nationally, creating opportunities for others,” he says. “It’s not just about the clothes it’s about using fashion as a tool to educate, inspire, and change lives.”
With resilience, creativity, and heart, Haii Suka is more than a brand it’s a movement rooted in identity, pride, and purpose.
