Fashion medley on show at the Sona
Bold, beautiful and outrageous outfits on display
The State of the Nation Address (Sona) was a fashion mania and not short of sartorial drama.
Mandla Mandela and wife Nosekeni Rabia, as always, were the best-dressed couple. Their matching militaryinspired and modest fashion get-ups were understated yet effortlessly stylish.
Unlike the Mandelas, Bheki Cele and his wife Thembeka Ngcobo brought the fashion drama.
Ngcobo’s feather shoulder details
and plunging neck screamed Gothic glamour. Nuclear scientist Senamile Masango looked radiant playing around with colour in a sequined green gown. Joining her with a pop of colour was ANC MP Dikeledi Mahlangu in a yellow Ndebele print dress.
Deputy minister of communications Pinky Kekana’s yellow dress oozed déjà vu vibes from Thuli Madonsela’s GertJohan Coetzee gown from the 2016 Sona.
The DA’s Phumzile van Damme’s fashion-forward choice was her experimenting with tailoring, yet looking feminine chic. Her burgundy draped dress over trousers by KLûK CGDT was a home run.
DA MP Nazley Sharid had perhaps the sexiest look on the red carpet by flaunting her daring back in a staples printed gown.
Mmusi Maimane’s wife Natalie kept it simple and elegant in black, but her lace fabric style was a bold fashionable end.
Is it a French poodle? No, it’s ANC MP Bernice Swartz in her fur coat-styled embellished gown.
ANC MP Dikeledi Direko got leggy in a high-low ensemble. Her straight back braids was a refreshing hair moment on the red carpet.
Move over Penny Penny, Benny Mayengani is in the house. The Tsonga musician opted for a silver embellished kurta complete with a wrapped turbine and embroidered loafers. Cultural appropriation or fashion? Whatever the answer is the combos were not communicating.