Cape Town - The parliamentary precinct was a sea of colour as MPs started arriving ahead of President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address on Tuesday afternoon.
Fur and feathers were popular among MPs.
Instead of posing for the hoards of frustrated photographers gathered outside the Old Assembly building, many MPs simply walked past.
Sbusiso Radebe, ANC MP, was dressed in an Arabic-styled white robe and head dress, and finally stopped after being hailed by journalists.
“It's simple, not complicated. That's what I like and that's what I am,” Radebe said.
Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille, one of the special guests invited to the opening, decided she was not going to dress up.
“It's the second opening of Parliament in one year. I wasn't going to go to any lengths to look beautiful, so I chose a simple black suit and a nice top,” De Lille said.
IFP MP Sibongile Nkomo sparkled in traditional Ghanaian garb, with a pink coat and a matching hat.
“I chose pink because it's a beautiful day. The sun was shining in Cape Town today,” Nkomo said.
“When I bought the dress in Ghana, they told me it symbolises freedom and was part of their cultural heritage.”
MPs and guests are expected to be seated by 6pm, an hour before Zuma commences his seventh SONA. - Sapa