Emerald green takes centre stage at SONA 2025 as attendees begin to arrive
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.