The Black Panther film premiere was perhaps the most important event to be seen at on Friday, apart from the State of the Nation address of course.
The event was black par excellence at the Monte casino’s Movies@Montes.
The area just outside the movie cinema where the viewing was held had been transformed into an elegant “blue” carpet where gorgeous attire was displayed.
As we milled around, various local celebrities also made efforts to support a film that has brought pride in being African. We were led into the cinema to be some of the first to celebrate #WakandaForever, (a tagline that has become popular).
There was also something liberating in seeing Africans from all over the world, with different ancestral lineages, come together in celebration of being black.
The theme for the night, Afro-chic, was translated the best way each person knew how. The Mzansi tribe embraced the theme with much poise and elegance that truly reflected that we are at home in Africa.
And even in the midst of international visitors, it was refreshing to see how “that thing” we have, oozed with so much ease.
Hollywood celeb Lupita Nyong’o was there. She strutted a beautiful orange dress with a slit that showed enough flesh, while Danai Gurira showed up wearing a simple royal blue dress paired with African beads.
Flying the SA flag really high was actress Connie Chiume who wore a black and grey dress, accompanied by her big smile.
The veteran portrays the mining tribe elder in the movie and she did not shy away from ululating the way we do when we celebrate greatness. Veteran actor John Kani was in his full isiXhosa regalia. Eat your heart out Donald Trump. What was that again? Us, coming from “”’@#$ countries?
But it was such a let-down to realise that the young Kani - Atandwa Kani - who plays T’Chaka, missed the Mzansi premiere.
Former first lady Graça Machel chose not to walk the carpet, but she was there, as was couple Proverb and Liesl Laurie; the stylish duo Solo and Dineo Moeketsi; comedian Tumi Morake and her husband Mpho Osei-Tutu and actress Jessica Nkosi, to name a few.
Here is a list of people who stood out for either good or bad: Afro Chic Queen - this award, without doubt, goes to Babes Wodumo who looked like a goddess in her very busy yet appropriate dress.
The Wololo hitmaker, a song that made it into the movie, paired her dress with bead work and a beautiful sleek blonde ponytail, carrying the traditional beaded stick.
Afro chic king - this is a split between Kani, seeing how he wore his attire with confidence, and surprisingly, Sjava.
Yep, finally Sjava’s look was appropriate. He just fitted in and that made us happy.