A cold, light rain set in across Cape Town on Wednesday morning as politicians and dignitaries started arriving at Parliament ahead of President Jacob Zuma's state of the nation address.
As it began to drizzle, the SA Air Force band finished the tune they were playing, then covered up their instruments and put on their raincoats.
The cymbal player jokingly held one half of his instrument over his head to protect himself against the wet.
On top of a tall building opposite the National Assembly chamber, in which MPs and others will gather at 11am to hear Zuma speak, security officials in wet black raincoats scanned proceedings through binoculars and scopes.
A similar group had taken up position atop Tuynhuys, the official presidential offices.
While a group of traditional dancers staged a brave performance outside the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chamber, the weather appears to have driven indoors many of those who would have ceremonially lined the long red carpet.
This includes the 250-strong Junior Guard of Honour - comprising pupils from schools in all provinces - who, it is understood, will now line the inside corridors between the NCOP and National Assembly chambers.
Zuma is expected to take the national salute from a podium outside the National Assembly shortly before 11am. - Sapa