SONA 2019: The pictures and pomp from the red carpet

Every year, the State of the Nation red carpet bring fashion wins and faux pas. It’s also packed with quips, even more so in an election year. Just ask the Democratic Alliance’s Phumzile van Damme.

Blade Nzimande insisted that “there is action” when asked about whether 2019 will be the year the judiciary takes action.

Speaking ahead of the event, ANC Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu said that the president will address issues facing embattled state owned enterprises during SONA 2019.

Not seen on a SONA red carpet for a while, Patricia de Lille said she was expecting ‘good’ things. Yeah.

The EFF arrived looking chipper.

Opposition leader Mmusi Maimane played it cool: “I am not here to disrupt proceedings – but I may just ask about Bosasa”

Mosiuoa Lekota said he wants Cyril Ramaphosa to resign over the Bosasa scandal – he said he’s been “caught with his hands in the cookie jar”.

Also bringing the swag on the red carpet, Gwede Mantashe, mantashing.