LOOK: The good, the green and the flashy: fashion highlights from the SONA 2025 red carpet
Emerald green, bright colours and figure-hugging outfits dominated the 2025 SONA red carpet as politicians, celebrities and other guests descended upon Parliament this week.
This included Chief Justice Mandisa Maya who made her entrance at the Cape Town City Hall wearing a rich and vibrant shade of green.
She made a bold yet classy statement, and while the look didn’t scream “wow”, it was sophisticated.
Maya opted for a pearly necklace, black shoes and a classic black handbag to complement her look.
Advocate Shameemah Salie MP from the Al Jama-ah party also turned heads in a striking emerald green ensemble, accompanied by her son, Yaseen Salie.
Their outfits not only reflected Muslim traditional attire but they 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 was Welekazi Sibiya, the City Council Member and PR Councillor at the Democratic Alliance, who stunned in a chic ball gown-inspired dress.
Simple yet sophisticated, the gown hugged her figure beautifully, proving that sometimes less is more when it comes to elegance.
So, why emerald green in 2025? Well, according to research, emerald green is a symbol of renewal, prosperity and balance, traits that align perfectly with the hopeful and forward-thinking themes of SONA.
In the context of a post-pandemic world, where sustainability and fresh starts are key, emerald green offers both regal sophistication and optimistic energy. It’s the perfect balance between elegance and energy, making it the ideal choice for an event that celebrates national progress and unity.
Meanwhile, bursts of colour could also be seen outside Cape Town’s City Hall.
And there must have been a memo to attendees to leave the go-to two pieces as dresses were the order of the day among the women.
Nomvula Mokonyane Deputy Secretary General of the African National Congress National Executive Member wore a bold take on the pin stripe look, with her figure hugging dress that showcased her beautiful curves. Mokonyane’s bold outfit was from actress and fashion designer Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa’s label Essie Apparel.
In fact. showing off curves was the memo, well if you got it, it is best to show it off.
One thing politicians do is wear traditional wear but can we fault them for celebrating their cultures, even if it is a safe fashion choice?
In addition the Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube at least opted for an olive green look with black and white beads. Hopefully the colour choice isn’t signalling anything political,the blue party, the Democratic Alliance, wouldn’t like that.
Minister of Tourism and leader of the political party Good Patricia de Lille also played it safe with her look, that looked like a big flag of her party’s logo but at least she made some effort.
Nonceba Mhlauli, deputy minister in The Presidency, served simple elegance with her brown and black figure hugging looks.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party have taken a page out of the Economic Freedom Fighters playbook with their choice of wearing uniforms, arriving looking like soldiers.
I personally expected more from the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa, Gayton McKenzie who turned up looking like one of those VIP protection service men. Couldn’t his friend Kenny Kunene hook him up with some designer gear?
Talking of which, did you see Kunene’s shoes - worth more than many people’s monthly salary?
Kunene, we get it you can afford designer wear but they said wear local and Versace is not local, what happened to some MaXhosa?
The Member of the mayoral committee for Transport at the City of Johannesburg rocked Versace Medusa loafers that retail for R21 700.
MK Party MP and musician Gezani Eric Kobane, also known as Papa Penny, made sure to make a statement, rocking bold gold shoes.
He made sure all eyes were on him in a blue and gold suit, paired with gold shoes – a rare but unmistakably signature look.
And of course, no Papa Penny look would be complete without his signature “bolla” hairstyle, a ponytail that has become an iconic part of his brand over the years.
Then there was Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg, Miss World SA 2024, who looked stunning in a Princess Diaries-inspired look by Casper Bosman.
She wore a white, sophisticated coat dress that exuded elegance and grace.
Meanwhile, former President Kgalema Motlanthe and his wife, Gugu Mtshali, arrived at SONA looking polished and poised.
Gugu’s sky blue ensemble was a pleasant choice for the event, with a touch of bling added by her brooch, making it a calm yet refined look. On the other hand, Motlanthe opted for a classic black suit - reliable but not exactly a showstopper.
Together, they offered a more understated approach to the evening’s fashion—looking professional and neat, but not necessarily standing out in the crowd.