Mandla Mandela and his wife, Nodiyala, became the darlings of social media when they stepped onto the red carpet before the state of the nation address (Sona) on Thursday.
The annual Sona is always a fashion-filled affair, and for a third year running, the Mandelas were among the best dressed.
Clad in traditional outfits with a modern twist, the couple was an instant hit on social networks. Mandla made a bold fashion statement with a military jacket, ncebetha (traditional Xhosa skirt) and gladiator sandals while Nodiyala wore a black and white fit-and-flare dress.
Speaking to the Saturday Dispatch yesterday, Nodiyala said their outfits have always been about upholding their culture.
“The look was inspired by our heritage. But we decided to incorporate the military look just to embrace colonisation and to remember the Frontier Wars, which is a big part of Xhosa history,” she said.
Their designer, Bongiwe Walaza, who is well-known for her shweshwe signature style, said she was given a brief by the couple and freedom to explore her creativity. “I really enjoyed working with Mandla. He knew how he wanted to look but at the same time gave me space as a designer to use my imagination,” said Walaza.
She said Mandla wanted his look to highlight both his tradition, while also paying homage to the military.
“Parliament is about tradition but at the same time they wanted to look modern.
“The military look is very relevant right now and it really was not easy to find a design that balances the two, but in the end it all worked out.”
Walaza designs and creates mostly “Afro inspired” haute couture and has exhibited in countries like Egypt, Milan, Hong Kong and Greece. Her studio is in Johannesburg, where she also stocks ready to wear items.
Local designer and Walter Sisulu University fashion design graduate Nondwe Mpendulo described the couple’s look as fresh and suitable. “Mandla is a man of tradition and originality. Combining both was a risk but it worked out really well. No-one else has done this and that will surely earn them respect.”
Local designer Siviwe Ntleki said the couple looked elegant.
“Nodiyala has the conventional look and, mixed with Mandla’s combination of Western and Roman, it makes quite a statement, very risky and peculiar,” he said.
Another Eastern Cape politician who had social media abuzz was ANC MP Thabiswa Nkwana. However, unlike the Mandelas, Nkwana had to bear the brunt of social media with her feathered dress which has been described as this year’s fashion faux pas.
Some have compared Nkwana’s outfit to singer Bjork’s infamous swan gown which she wore to the Academy Awards in 2001.
Mandla salutes Frontier Wars
The annual Sona is always a fashion-filled affair, and for a third year running, the Mandelas were among the best dressed.
Clad in traditional outfits with a modern twist, the couple was an instant hit on social networks. Mandla made a bold fashion statement with a military jacket, ncebetha (traditional Xhosa skirt) and gladiator sandals while Nodiyala wore a black and white fit-and-flare dress.
Speaking to the Saturday Dispatch yesterday, Nodiyala said their outfits have always been about upholding their culture.
“The look was inspired by our heritage. But we decided to incorporate the military look just to embrace colonisation and to remember the Frontier Wars, which is a big part of Xhosa history,” she said.
Their designer, Bongiwe Walaza, who is well-known for her shweshwe signature style, said she was given a brief by the couple and freedom to explore her creativity. “I really enjoyed working with Mandla. He knew how he wanted to look but at the same time gave me space as a designer to use my imagination,” said Walaza.
She said Mandla wanted his look to highlight both his tradition, while also paying homage to the military.
“Parliament is about tradition but at the same time they wanted to look modern.
“The military look is very relevant right now and it really was not easy to find a design that balances the two, but in the end it all worked out.”
Walaza designs and creates mostly “Afro inspired” haute couture and has exhibited in countries like Egypt, Milan, Hong Kong and Greece. Her studio is in Johannesburg, where she also stocks ready to wear items.
Local designer and Walter Sisulu University fashion design graduate Nondwe Mpendulo described the couple’s look as fresh and suitable. “Mandla is a man of tradition and originality. Combining both was a risk but it worked out really well. No-one else has done this and that will surely earn them respect.”
Local designer Siviwe Ntleki said the couple looked elegant.
“Nodiyala has the conventional look and, mixed with Mandla’s combination of Western and Roman, it makes quite a statement, very risky and peculiar,” he said.
Another Eastern Cape politician who had social media abuzz was ANC MP Thabiswa Nkwana. However, unlike the Mandelas, Nkwana had to bear the brunt of social media with her feathered dress which has been described as this year’s fashion faux pas.
Some have compared Nkwana’s outfit to singer Bjork’s infamous swan gown which she wore to the Academy Awards in 2001.
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