03 Nov 2019

All eyes were on President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi on November 1 as he took oath as Botswana's fifth president. Although it was a day about political leadership, fashion and stylish outfits was the highlight of the day especially the First Lady Neo Masisi's outfit. 

Dressed in  an elegant, sophisticated, simple and  English royal look in a  turquoise sheath dress and matching coat as she walked President Masisi to the stage. The colour turquoise is a shade of blue which symbolises peace, unity and patriotism.  

Her outfit colour complimented her husband attire who had donned a navy blue suit with a red tie. "Their outfits colours are really cool", said one of the attendants.  

On many occasions she has been seen to wear leteise designed outfits in a Queen’s type of feel; especially when she visited traditional places like the kgotla and mostly when she is visiting abroad.

“I loved that she did not pick a leteitshe design this time, because I was not expecting her in a leteise,” said local fashion designer Kaone Moremong. “She looked very elegant and it was her husband’s inauguration, so anything over the top would have taken the spotlight from the start of the show,” said Moremong.

President Dr Masisi wore a red tie and white shirt with his well-tailored suit, and their daughter Atsile was clad in a dress matching the colour of her Mum’s.

First Lady has given a fresh new life to the local fashion designers and giving them the recognition and spotlight they deserve. 

She has been appealing to the local fashion industry to bring back the traditional khiba and make it fashionable, modern and appealing. Also eye catching at the inauguration were  other politicians and spouses. 

Former minister of Health and Wellness Professor Sheila Tlou traditional  outfit of se shweshwe stole the show.

Her traditional Botswana colours neck piece and hand accessories blended with her outfit. Other  of the Member of Parliaments elect spouses  like Yndani Boko’s wife, Dumelang Saleshando’s wife and Kably's  wife others did not disappoint. 

Former Members of Parliament Botlogile Tshireletso, Dorcas Makgato, Tebelelo Seretse were also eye catching.

It would not have been an inauguration without a Botswana traditional ensemble choreographed dance and song performance. The ensemble mesmerized the audience with various Botswana dance styles like setapa, phathisi, tsutsube, dihosana, seperu and namastad. 

The event also gave visitors a taste of Botswana in poems and traditional dikhwaere by an elderly choir from Moshupa. ENDS