Parliament sees red

Cape Town 120209- Diane Coler Barnard and Liesl Gottert in the opening of parliament-Picture Cindy waxa.

Cape Town 120209- Diane Coler Barnard and Liesl Gottert in the opening of parliament-Picture Cindy waxa.

Published Feb 10, 2012

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Of course it’s local! That was the opinion on their attire from many MPs and high-profile South Africans who arrived in the parliamentary precinct to hear President Jacob Zuma deliver his State of the Nation Address on Thursday.

“I only wear local,” said television personality Dali Tambo, son of ANC stalwarts Oliver and Adelaide Tambo. He and his wife, Rachel, cut striking figures, dressed all in black and white, who readily posed for photographers and spoke about their love for all things local.

Tambo said his all-black suit had been made by his personal designer, while his wife, in a traditional black and white outfit from designer Sun Goddess, described her outfit as a “modern interpretation of Africa”.

With a strong emphasis on the traditional African – the gele, the Nigerian wrap headdress, was a feature – there were also brilliant red dresses and pastel chiffons for the women, while the men played it safe with dark suits.

Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille – best remembered for the minstrel-inspired outfit which won the fashion thumbs-down some years ago – took the safe route with a salmony-orange trouser suit from local clothing manufacturer House of Monatic.

“It is one of the few factories to have survived the economic downturn. It is up to all of us to support local factories,” said De Lille, adding she always buys something she can wear again.

Parliament’s arts and culture committee chairwoman, Thandile Sunduza, said she had designed her green dress herself, but it had been made by “Ouma from fat is fabulous, for bigger people”.

ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe and his wife, Lydia, have a track-record of matching designs over the years. This time around it was a deep red-and-gold combo. “Whatever I wear is made in South Africa. Our designers can do it just as well as the Nigerians,” she said, adding that her dress had been made by Nandiphe Madikiza .

DA leader Helen Zille, accompanied by her husband, Johan Maree, who sported a purple and green dress by Hendrik Vermeulen which she had won at a charity auction for the Sunflower Fund, of which she is a patron.

DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko, who brought her mother, June, wore a pink dress by local designer Gabriel du Toit.

DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard bought her outfit in an Indian-run store in Durban, together with her gold shoes: “best dresses, best bling”.

Cope MP Graham McIntosh arrived in a kilt: “This is my traditional gear,” he said.

Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota sported a tuxedo and bowtie.

IFP leader iNkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi had deep red feathers in his salt-and-pepper hair.

He said the feathers of the loerie were a sign of royalty.

Buthelezi was less chuffed about the heightened security yesterday, saying the securocrats had taken over.

But despite this, and some tight media arrangements at the Oscar-style red carpet, Parliament rolled out the pomp and ceremony.

From the military bands to the civilian guard, who came from across the country, to the entertainment and dance performers, it was all there.

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