INLSA

PMB 20022012 The 2012 opening of the KZN Legislature, Royal Showgroungs, PMB. PICTURE: Jacques Naude

Evening dress – complete with satin, sequins and diamante – worn in the daytime are a fashion faux pas at the best of times. But this appears to be a regular feature of the annual opening of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature.

It was no different at the Royal Show Grounds in Pietermaritzburg yesterday when the two constants – roasting hot weather and inappropriate attire – inevitably materialised.

While two-piece suits with hats and heels, like those worn by MECs Ina Cronje and Weziwe Thusi, are spot-on for an event of this nature, there is a clear argument for an African approach to attire and several guests this year demonstrated the unique fashion sense that springs from being part of the “rainbow nation”.

Nomthandazo Mthembu, of the Mthembu royal family, wore an outfit she had put together herself. It had the formality of a western silhouette but the collar was made from impala, in keeping with a traditional African feel.

Animal motifs also added detail to the jacket and Mthembu jazzed up the look with a classic hat and fashionable platform shoes – all sold separately but styled to her individual taste.

Young Princess Busisiwe Thabethe was strapped into an eye-catching number by designer Lindiwe Khuzwayo, which had the same African aesthetic.

PMB 20022012 The 2012 opening of the KZN Legislature, Royal Showgroungs, PMB. PICTURE: Jacques Naude

INLSA

Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs portfolio committee chairwoman Nonzwakazi Swartbooi also wore a garment with both western and African references.

It was refreshing to see people step outside of their culture parameters, experimenting with the traditional garb of other groups.

Princess Lindi Zulu stood out among the women, clad as she was in traditional Zulu red, paired with a bright blue Venda wrap.

For a grand entrance, however, few could beat the Zulu monarch

King Goodwill Zwelithini. His chair arrived before him; his praises were sung; and then in he walked, with his leopard skin-clad queens in tow.

The royals were not the only ones who dressed to impress. More than 1 500 VIP guests were at the opening of the KZN legislature – including relatives of former presidents – and several socialites were also in attendance.

Among these were “it” couple Zanele Mbokazi and Bishop Mpendulo Nkambule, former Ukhozi FM manager Welcome Nzimande and many well-known politicians, such as KZN’s first premier, Frank Mdlalose.

If your eye wasn’t on the fashion, a trend you would not have missed was the odd young girl – usually quite stunning and in the brightest, shortest, tightest of dresses – on the arm of a man who could have been her father.

Or maybe it was her daddy?