State of the nation fashion awards

Max Sisulu, First Lady Thobeka Madiba and Johannes Mahlangu at the state of the nation address in Parliament

The state of the nation address on Thursday might have been overshadowed by the killing of model Reeva Steenkamp – allegedly by her Paralympian boyfriend, Oscar Pistorius – but the political socialites still had their 15 seconds of fame on the red carpet at Parliament.

» Most Inappropriate First Lady Outfit: Thobeka Madiba
You can always rely on the Zuma First Ladies to leave us with a “What were you thinking?” expression on our faces. Between their penchant for shiny materials, high hemlines and ill-fitting suits, they really boggle the mind. But Thobeka Madiba’s boob-baring peach dress takes the cake. It was too everything – tight and revealing. Two words: full-body shapers. And covet that cleavage!

» Elegance Personified Award
Now here’s a woman I was looking forward to having as our First Lady. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe’s partner, Gugu Mtshali, is unmatched in the style stakes. Not many people can pull off a brown frock pared with a white sheer blouse/jacket with black lace panels. And the Julius Ceasar-inspired laurel leaf crown as head gear? Genius!

» Over The Top Award
Take a moment to look at businesswoman Bridgette Radebe’s outfit. Feel dizzy yet? Do your eyes hurt? Are you hypnotised? Thought so …

» Oh Hell No! Award
There is such a thing as trying too hard. And there there is Denise Robertson and Tsakane Nkambule. Where to begin? Under no circumstance or constitution would Robertson’s oversized monstrosity be considered pretty – let alone fashionable. Nkambule, on the other hand, could have done the Pedi nation proud.

» Romantic Award
Bukelwa Holomisa is obviously a romantic who was not going to pass on a chance to dress in red and white on Valentine’s Day. The dress with its rounded colour was nice, and the unsightly piece of material that wraps around her knees did keep the dress from being unruly due to the wind.

» What The …? Award
There were so many candidates jostling for this one that it was hard to choose. MEC Pemmy Majodina beat them all because her friendly disposition on the red carpet suggests she knows she didn’t exactly hit the nail on the head. The black, the gold, the shine, the ruffle, the hemline … so much was so wrong with this outfit, which once upon a time probably looked presentable on a store-front mannequin.

» Notable Mention Award
This was is shared by the men who went traditional on the red carpet – Dumisani Ximbi, Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela and Christian Martin. Ximbi was in Zulu attire, Mandela in traditional gear, which he credited a MamNokhaya from Qunu for, and Martin rocked red-and-black Calvin Klein broeks under his skins. Only in Mzansi, neh …