Style of the bold and the beautiful

THE EFF channelled rock band retro at the opening of Parliament in “No Fear” T-shirts, but the truly brave went for lots of cleavage, heels, netting and bold ANC colours.

“It is new. It means bring it on, SANDF,” said feisty EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys, who wore red Converse sneakers that matched her overalls.

The party promised to disrupt President Jacob Zuma’s speech as it did last year, prompting a member of the State Security Ministry to quip: “There’s no off-the-record here, they said it on Twitter, so we know it will happen.”

Not even the spies immediately knew the identity of the woman who arrived wearing a short green and gold dress with a plunging neckline, 10-inch heels and a black and green hat, which was rouched like a cabbage rose.

She was later revealed to be Dikeledi Mahlangu from the Mpumalanga government.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane’s wife Natalie wore an off-the-shoulder black dress designed by Natalia Trisolino, with delicate 1920s beading around the neck.

Deborah Dineo Raphuti looked elegant in a fuchsia pink shift with a purple and pink shoulder scarf. “I designed it myself,” she said shyly. Dali Tambo’s wife Rachel wore a striking dress with a black skirt and leopard-print bodice, and told the media she was proud to sport veteran Joburg designer Marianne Fassler.

Also among the ANC royalty on the red carpet, Mandla Mandela and his wife Rabia, who is pregnant, wore matching traditional outfits in discreet black and white.

Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille looked relaxed in a flowery red kaftan and seemed keen for it all to be over.

“After this we will have our city back,” she said, before mentioning the sheer number of police and soldiers who had been deployed to “protect one criminal”.

Among the endless princess-style gowns, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula’s wife Nozuko stood out in a simple, sleeveless dress with an ivory bodice and black skirt.

Cabinet colleague Malusi Gigaba added a tie pin and pocket square to his sharp blue suit. His wife Noma wore a full-length white lace dress.

Police Minister Nathi Nhleko’s companion swept up the red carpet in an orange movie star dress.

A few metres behind, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille arrived in a midnight blue dress.

PICTURES: IAN LANDSBERG RED CARPET: Left, Mandla Mandela and his wife Rabia. Right, Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille.

PICTURE: ARMAND HOUGH BRIGHT SIDE: The All Stars Minstrels perform at the Grand Parade ahead of President Jacob Zuma’s address.

PICTURE: IAN LANDSBERG GLITZ AND GLAMOUR: Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba and his wife, Nomachule Mngoma, on the red carpet outside Parliament yesterday.