Cape Town - From cutting edge designs to traditional wear, Members of Parliament (MPs) have once again lived up to the high expectations around dressing up for the opening of Parliament and the State of the Nation Address.
With the South African Navy band already serenading guests who were streaming in, all eyes were on the bright and sometimes over-the-top fashion that always graces the red carpet.
Western Cape Premier and leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), Helen Zille, arrived on the red carpet wearing a blue off-the-shoulder long dress with sequence, silver chandelier earrings and silver shoes.
Cope Youth leader Anele Mda came in wearing a pink outfit and a hat made by a designer in Mtata.
Kwaito stars Chomee and Arthur Mfokate also arrived in style, with Chomee drawing most attention in her brightly coloured body-hugging outfit. She said that she had bought it because "it's a lovely dress."
Arthur said that it was his fourth time being invited to the event and he expected President Jacob Zuma to deliver a "good speech" because "bit by bit, we are getting somewhere as a nation."
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, arrived on the red carpet wearing a stunning black outfit made from ostrich feathers
The Minister said she was expecting the agricultural sector to create 250 000 jobs in the next three year. She said she was worried about the floods in some parts of the country which had resulted in job losses in the agricultural sector.
