Traditional Zulu regalia found favour with many VIPs and MPLs at the opening of the KZN legislature at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg on Monday.
King Goodwill Zwelithini set the tone in leopard skins and was accompanied by three of his queens, also draped in skins.
A number of guests wore similar outfits to that of Speaker of the legislature, Peggy Nkonyeni, who donned isicholo(a Zulu hat) and a beaded skirt.
In response to a call made last year by the king for those attending the opening to wear traditional attire “to showcase different cultures”, some men wore amabheshu(loin cloths) while others chose custom-made African-inspired designs
Although eThekwini council Speaker Logie Naidoo was his usual flamboyant self, proudly declaring his support for the local textile industry in a shiny silver Nehru suit, embellished with diamante others such as Premier Zweli Mkhize, Meshack Radebe and education MEC Senzo Mchunu opted to play it safe in more staid black-suit-and-tie ensembles.
Said Naidoo: “This outfit was tailor-made for me by Mr Gangram in Grey Street. I saw the design overseas and asked him to make it for me.”
Not to be outdone, flamboyant ANC MPL, Pastor Vusi Dube – perhaps inspired by the vivid violet suit Julius Malema wore to Mauritius last year – wore a purple Italian import. With Dube was his wife, Taki, who wore a two-piece number in ANC-inspired colours, but she insisted that she was not trying to make a political statement and that she just loved the colours.
Although many women also opted to play it safe by wearing their Sunday best, there were plenty of big hats and fascinators.
NFP president, Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi wore head-to-toe purple and her signature sunglasses.
Had there been an award for the best dressed woman, it would probably have gone to ANC provincial chief whip, Makhosi Khoza, who designed her leopard-print creation herself. It was paired with a black-and-gold feathered hat and skyscraper heels.
“It was actually meant to for a wedding but then I decided to wear it today. I saw the design at a shop in Australia and made the dress myself,” Khoza said.
Her nearest contender in the fashion stakes was Co-operative Governance MEC Nomusa Dube, who looked demure in a brown-and-cream striped lace dress, cream jacket and pearls.
Worst dressed had to go to KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, who combined a seaweed green suit, an off-white shirt and a red-and-grey striped tie.