The State of the Nation Address (SONA) has arrived and while Cape Town’s infamous Cape Doctor is known for making a dramatic entrance this time of year, the guests are showing up unfazed – and dressed to impress.
One colour stealing the spotlight? Emerald green.
Among the early arrivals, Advocate Shameemah Salie MP from the Al Jama-ah party turned heads in a striking emerald green ensemble, accompanied by her son, Yaseen Salie.
Their outfits not only reflected Muslim traditional attire but also bore the colours of the Palestinian flag – red, white, green and black – a subtle yet powerful statement of solidarity with Gaza.
Joining the emerald green wave is Welekazi Sibiya, City Council Member and PR Councillor at the Democratic Alliance, who stunned in a chic ballgown-inspired dress. Simple yet sophisticated, the gown hugged her figure beautifully, proving that sometimes less is more when it comes to elegance.
Adding a strong heritage element to the mix was Nomnikelo Gxuluwa Nkomasini, a cultural activist and public figure known for her advocacy in preserving South African traditions.
She brought a true celebration of heritage to the red carpet in a flowing off-white dress with bold horizontal stripes in red, black, green, blue, and yellow, embodying the vibrant diversity of South Africa. Topping off the look, she wore a matching African headwrap, styled with regal precision, making her presence a striking tribute to tradition.
As South African fashion designer Gert-Johan Coetzee recently pointed out: “This year, I’m sure we’re going to see lots of traditional elements and a mix of styles.
Over the years, I’ve noticed that the Hollywood-inspired trends have been fading, and there’s a stronger emphasis on celebrating our South African identity.” Nkomasini’s look was a perfect example of this shift.