Sona’s annual red carpet parade of politicians with damp squibs. Thanks. If it includes the usual luxury and ego, South Africa might stand up and take notice. This time, no one did, and chances are no one cared.
It was a fashion disaster from top to toe, with most MPs reportedly opting for local designers to dress them for the occasion. But like all couturiers, they have a good sense of humor.
Most MPs step out of taxpayer-funded luxury cars onto the streets wearing what looks like household linen – curtains, tablecloths and costume jewellery. It’s not a dress up party, but perhaps the celebration still has a seat at the table, and point in the feed feeding.
The worst dressed couple, or an ensemble, should be the Democratic Alliance. The whole party comes in black, about as creative as the imagination of people trying to create photo opportunities. And while it may be symbolic of South Africa’s funeral, I hope it’s not his.
The best dress this is undoubtedly the leader of UDM Bantu Holomisa. It’s a suit, of course, but it fits snugly, cut as eloquent as rhetoric and a tie, knotted Windsor-perfect.
Among the women, there is no one close to the acting public protector Kholeka Gcaleka, who dresses so beautifully and elegantly that it surprises everyone, and gives her an auto-pilot confidence in her ability as a steady hand in the public interest. And at least she can dress well.
Unfortunately, this is not true for former PAC, DA politico and current Good Party leader and Minister of Public Works Patricia de Lille. He without a shadow of a doubt, Worst Dressed. De Lille arrived dressed in a typically green, square pattern, one could be forgiven for mis-choosing a retro seat cover, and just like his political career.
De Lille’s outfit was almost as unflattering as Helen Zille’s comments on Twitter about the whole thing: “What a fun spectacle outside City Hall. The fact that we can’t even hold the opening of Parliament in Parliament tells you everything you need to know about the State of the Nation. Comment thoughts- numbingly banal. God help SA. Now read a book.”
A close contender for De Lille’s award is the deputy minister of sports and recreation, Nocawe Mafu, whose guest bedroom at home must be empty after the removal of the green and black satin sheets in which she was dressed in a sloppy and ill-fitting dress.
Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele only Don’t bother. Sure, he’s in a suit, but his schoolboy tie-knot skills are still as desirable as the shirt he’s holding up during a television interview, and he’s not bothering his neck. If this was called rol in a respectable high school, he would have been arrested.
Of course, the EFF didn’t bother either. The party arrived in clobber ready to attack the land, trademark red overalls and traditional attitude and could not hide any arm.