Cape Town - While some chose to boycott the State of the Nation (SONA) red carpet this years others took the time to to pose for the media and show off their glamorous outfits.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Bheki Cele and his wife Thembeka stole the show in their carefully co-ordinated matching outfits. Cele wore a navy blue suit and his signature hat. He said his extensive hat collection has grown to 43 in total. Thembeka was radiant in an avocado gown, with gold detailing at the front.

Another couple that stole the show was ANC MP Mandla Mandela with his wife Nodiyala who wore traditional black and white Xhosa outfits. The couple never disappoint on the red carpet with their matching outfits. Mandla’s black gladiator sandals and British army jacket with blue beaded sash, were a reference to the colonial frontier wars of 1857. “We always go for outfits that represent and celebrate our Xhosa heritage and the Eastern Cape,” he said.

The DA, who boycotted the red carpet arrived dressed in all black.

Pictures: Kim Kay, IOL