Sponsored Links:
GCIS
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe with his partner, Gugu Mtshali, at the State of the Nation address. Picture: Kopano Tlape / GCIS
Oversized hats, six-inch rainbow heels, a coral suit, quirky kilts and a kwaito star in gold and black had the cameras flashing at this year’s State of the Nation address.
But it was the lady in the elegant, low-backed purple gown walking two steps behind Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe who had observers and guests gasping.
While Motlanthe stepped out solo last year, he was accompanied on Thursday night by his partner, Gugu Mtshali, to the most prestigious event on the political calendar.
Observers on the sidelines of the red carpet seemed impressed, with one remarking that Mtshali looked every bit a future first lady.
Observers on Twitter were also impressed. @NBikitsha tweeted: “DP Kgalema Motlanthe must marry Gugu so we can have a wedding. A big feel good moment for the country #JustSaying.”
While @Sentletse said: “Motlanthe has a good taste. The HOT lady behind him will make the First Lady we can be proud of.
In November Independent on Saturday reported that Mtshali, a 47-year-old businesswoman, was officially confirmed as Motlanthe’s consort - after having been involved in an extra-marital relationship with him for years.
Mtshali was seen at the notoriously private Motlanthe’s side, when the deputy president hosted Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, at a dinner in Pretoria at the time.
Motlanthe’s spokesman, Thabo Masebe, then confirmed that Mtshali, who once worked as Mathews Phosa’s personal assistant at Luthuli House was in a relationship with the deputy president and was his “official partner”.
Motlanthe has been estranged from his wife, Mapula, with whom he has three adult children, for many years. Masebe said In November last year that the deputy president had been in the process of finalising a divorce.
Independent Newspapers revealed two years ago when Motlanthe was the country’s acting president, that he had been in a relationship with Mtshali for a number of years, which had been an open secret among ANC insiders, culminating in the break-up of her 17-year-long marriage in 2008.
Mtshali left her family house in Sydenham in August that year, moving to a house in Norwood and was divorced by December. - The Star, IOL
|
|
Mark, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
@Karen, welcome to Africa, the continent of the Banana Republics, poor people and outrageously rich despotic leaders, who have to show off their wares
Anonymous, wrote
Sg, wrote
Ia this some sort of party to celebrate their incompetence. They useless and all this is an opportunity to squander more money. Showm me where in the world they have this sort of drum up .
Anonymous, wrote
Gugu Mtshali looks very elegant and dignified and, in comparison with some of the other women who wore garish and unsuitable outfits to the Opening of Parliament, she gives everyone a lesson in style!
Anonymous, wrote
Wow, who would have thought. Our DP with such an adorable woman. we all thought that he was a loner. I so salute you SiR
Mlu, wrote
Opening of Parliament is equivalent to the ANC Centenary Celebrations' "Lift your and take pictures whilst we toast the best of the French bubbly for you!
Anonymous, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
She is indeed very beautiful , Kgalema Motlanthe please dont trust or leave her alone with Jacob Zuma , you know what will happen ...
BBM, wrote
I am not surprised why there are so many divorces in this country and the world at large. It's shocking that South Africans and even some comments made by some people here, believe when a woman is hot she therefore deserves marriage. Dear friends marriage is not a playing game, the hotness of a man or a woman does not equate to marriage, in fact its a source of many broken marriages...
I'manAfican, wrote
Elekshin, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
From PA to powerful businesswoman? I wonder if she could have got all the wealth had it not been the "connection"...
Karen, wrote
@Dan - my thoughts exactly!!!! Since when do photographers go to a state of the nation address and start commenting on the what the politicians are wearing! Since when is the entire city shut down so that these inflated fat cats can drive on empty roads to get to the venue!? Since when are snipers and security so tight you'd think we had gone to war!? These are civili servants for goodness sake. They were elected to SERVE the public. If they are in such danger of somebody trying to kill them then maybe they should step down because clearly somebody feels very strongly about them not being in that position. How dare they cause the public they are supposed to be serving to sit for hours in grind locked traffic jams trying to get home, just because they are tracvelling down the road. This entire thing has just got completely out of hand and these politicians are so inflated with their own sense of self-importance they are completely out of touch with the people they are supposed to be serving.
Dan, wrote
Joe Public, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
Nobody stole the show. This was just an ANCircus if ever I have seen one. Fashion? I think not.
Lwandle, wrote
As a matter of fact, the poor people of this country were never made poor by the ANC but by the previous government that was kept in power by white people. That they vote for the ANC is their choice, a constitutional right for that matter and they are exercising it. In your right mind who should poor people vote for? The rich people who brought poverty upon them by keeping the previous government in power? No ways.
Active, wrote
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Services
Buying a car has never been easy. Motoring.co.za contains a large database of car listings with a user friendly search.
Start searching today »
Business Directory
We like to make your life easier
Mobile
Browse IOL on your phone at m.iol.co.za.
Newsletters
Subscribe to our newsletters. News delivered to your inbox!
Comment Guidelines