Cape Town – Traditional outfits with a touch of colonial history, soft silky dresses and old-fashioned tailored suits – this year’s State of the Nation Address (SoNA) red carpet did not disappoint.
VIP guests, including Ministers, MPs, celebrities and eminent persons, brought the red carpet to life with stunning outfits and their charisma.
Mvezo Chief Mandla Mandela, accompanied by his spouse, wore a white traditional Xhosa male outfit with a black trim called umbhaco, and a black blazer inspired by jackets that army generals used to wear during the colonial wars.
His spouse donned a matching dress.
Mandela, who is also an MP, said about his outfit: “We are wearing these outfits to embrace our own traditional heritage and as you know, the Eastern Cape is also home to the war of the Xhosas and the colonisers.
“So we also embrace the colonial history through our outfits,” he said.
Transport Minister Dipuo Peters and her daughter, Boitumelo, also kept cameramen busy with their blue and black dresses respectively.
The Minister said she was dressed by a lady from Johannesburg called Maria, who also designed Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane’s stunning red and black dress.
While musician Arthur Mafokate and Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa looked dapper in their well-tailored suits, TV personality Dali Tambo and his wife Rachel brightened up the red carpet with their yellow outfits.
His wife said she was dressed by well-known designer JJ Schoeman. – SAnews.gov.za
