Red carpet spotlight falls on Ouma Beukes, 100

Fake fur and fashion faux pas sashayed down the red carpet just before the State of the Nation speech in Cape Town last night.

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Deputy Minister Bheki Cele could easily change portfolios to run a ministry of fashion. The former police boss and his wife, Thembeka, stole the evening, opting for "old Hollywood style".

Anna Beukes, 100, the oldest guest on the big night, a member of the Witbooi Namastam clan, was a hit with photographers.

"I picked out my own outfit - me and the people at the shop at the mall in Mitchells Plain," she said.

Communications Deputy Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams took to the red carpet like Naomi Campbell in a lace and ivory gown .

The statistician-general, Pali Lehohla, who admits he is better with numbers than fashion, traded in his yellow census suit for a matching tweed cap, jacket, waistcoat and tie.

DA MPs Dianne Kohler Barnard and Glynnis Breytenbach made for an odd pair when they arrived together. Breytenbach looked drab in a practical black pantsuit with faux-fur trim. Kohler Barnard wore a sunshine yellow dress with diamante in her hair.

DA leader Helen Zille made an understated arrival in a black and gold outfit.

"This is from a lovely secondhand shop in Hermanus," she said.

Economic Freedom Fighters MP Floyd Shivambu wore the red workman's overalls the party has become famous for, but with stylish leather pointed shoes.

President Jacob Zuma's wife Nompumelelo was resplendent in glitzy purple.