In the midst of protests against President Jacob Zuma ahead of the latest State of the Nation Address‚ politicians and government officials had the 2016 SONA red carpet lit with hot (and not so hot) fashion looks galore.
Draped in a canary yellow dress by Gert Johann Coetzee‚ Public Protector Thuli Madonsela reigned supreme as more than just the Queen of justice.
A combination of mesh and floral designed pieces with matching yellow pearls and a train that could only be described as regal‚ the flowing silhouette of the dress fit Madonsela’s frame perfectly and made her the belle of the ball.
The famously stylish #Gigabytes – Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba and Norma Gigaba who were among the last to strut across the carpet stunned in a brown and gold pairing that saw his tie and lapel matching her long‚ gold dress with the top half patterned with scattered sequence.
Throwing in their hats were the people’s favourite minister and Twitter’s clapback King Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula and wife Nozuko Mbalula who were seen in a navy suit and matching tie combo and a red‚ off-the-shoulder dress with a bow on the left side and nude Christian Louboutin pumps respectively.
Meanwhile‚ newlywed Mandla Mandela raised many an eyebrow when he sauntered across the red carpet‚ sans his latest wife Rabia Clarke on his arm‚ but with third “wife” Nodiyala Makhathini.
The two channelled their matching black and white traditional inspired attire from last year’s SONA and gave it a twist with an umber and black combo this year instead.
Mandela is currently living with Swazi princess Nodiyala at his Mvezo home. His first wife Tando Mabunu-Mandela interdicted him from marrying Nodiyala‚ but he defied that order and “married” her anyway in a traditional ceremony in December 2011.
In addition to being booed as he walked towards parliament with shouts of “sellout” and “Askari” heard‚ he had social media weighing in on the confusing move of the lady on his arm.
Twitter user @JoyleneVanWyk tweeted: “Tjoh Chief #MandlaMandela rocked up at #SONA2016 with his other wife‚ while @shamznoor said “Which wife is #MandlaMandela with first‚ divorce‚ annul‚ but where is the wife of 6 days?”.
While African Christian Democratic Party politician Kenneth Meshoe’s wife can be commended for an age- and event-appropriate style of dress and colour – royal blue – the number of flowers on the dress could have been reduced to one or two – if not none altogether. Meshoe himself‚ on the other hand‚ looked debonair in a dark blue suit and black shirt and tie.
Helen Zille looked demure in a navy dress‚ with the top covered in lace‚ accompanied with a sash and a royal blue clutch bag‚ with her hair slicked back out of her face.
True to form‚ Economic Freedom Fighters members showed up in their signature red overalls and berets and were singing political songs as they marched and danced in unison into Parliament.
Overall‚ culturally inspired outfits and accessories were in abundance with people paying homage to various African cultures through their vogue.
Mesh and lace were also a go-to as well as colourful prints and florals.
The gentleman of the SONA 2016 were all generally well-groomed‚ with tailored suits and matching tie and lapel combinations.
SONA Fashion - The trends‚ who was hot and who confused us
Draped in a canary yellow dress by Gert Johann Coetzee‚ Public Protector Thuli Madonsela reigned supreme as more than just the Queen of justice.
A combination of mesh and floral designed pieces with matching yellow pearls and a train that could only be described as regal‚ the flowing silhouette of the dress fit Madonsela’s frame perfectly and made her the belle of the ball.
The famously stylish #Gigabytes – Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba and Norma Gigaba who were among the last to strut across the carpet stunned in a brown and gold pairing that saw his tie and lapel matching her long‚ gold dress with the top half patterned with scattered sequence.
Throwing in their hats were the people’s favourite minister and Twitter’s clapback King Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula and wife Nozuko Mbalula who were seen in a navy suit and matching tie combo and a red‚ off-the-shoulder dress with a bow on the left side and nude Christian Louboutin pumps respectively.
Meanwhile‚ newlywed Mandla Mandela raised many an eyebrow when he sauntered across the red carpet‚ sans his latest wife Rabia Clarke on his arm‚ but with third “wife” Nodiyala Makhathini.
The two channelled their matching black and white traditional inspired attire from last year’s SONA and gave it a twist with an umber and black combo this year instead.
Mandela is currently living with Swazi princess Nodiyala at his Mvezo home. His first wife Tando Mabunu-Mandela interdicted him from marrying Nodiyala‚ but he defied that order and “married” her anyway in a traditional ceremony in December 2011.
In addition to being booed as he walked towards parliament with shouts of “sellout” and “Askari” heard‚ he had social media weighing in on the confusing move of the lady on his arm.
Twitter user @JoyleneVanWyk tweeted: “Tjoh Chief #MandlaMandela rocked up at #SONA2016 with his other wife‚ while @shamznoor said “Which wife is #MandlaMandela with first‚ divorce‚ annul‚ but where is the wife of 6 days?”.
While African Christian Democratic Party politician Kenneth Meshoe’s wife can be commended for an age- and event-appropriate style of dress and colour – royal blue – the number of flowers on the dress could have been reduced to one or two – if not none altogether. Meshoe himself‚ on the other hand‚ looked debonair in a dark blue suit and black shirt and tie.
Helen Zille looked demure in a navy dress‚ with the top covered in lace‚ accompanied with a sash and a royal blue clutch bag‚ with her hair slicked back out of her face.
True to form‚ Economic Freedom Fighters members showed up in their signature red overalls and berets and were singing political songs as they marched and danced in unison into Parliament.
Overall‚ culturally inspired outfits and accessories were in abundance with people paying homage to various African cultures through their vogue.
Mesh and lace were also a go-to as well as colourful prints and florals.
The gentleman of the SONA 2016 were all generally well-groomed‚ with tailored suits and matching tie and lapel combinations.
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