People are generally fatigued with the deplorable state of the current world and tend to turn to entertainment for relief. But recently, the kind of entertainment they look towards has shifted and this has a lot to do with the growth of social media. Audiences once enjoyed viewing the extravagant lifestyles of the rich and famous, but now prefer the antics of everyday folk they can relate to. They condemn celebrities for their obliviousness to suffering and hypocritical lecturing on social issues while indulging in lavish living. Events once considered the height of wealthy society are now viewed as wasteful and cruel.
While acknowledging the beauty and artistic value of the event, in USA Today, Nicole Russell criticised the Met Gala as an ostentatious display of excess and hypocrisy. She argued that it is increasingly tone-deaf and disconnected from global issues such as poverty, inflation, war, and social unrest. Russell pointed out the stark contrast between the glamorous, costly affair and the dire conditions many people face, noting the event’s failure to provide meaningful distraction or solace. Like many, she even likened the Met Gala to the Hunger Games.
Of course, the comparison isn’t exactly fair, but the Durban July is a local event that could face similar critique. The Durban July Handicap, first held in 1897 at 1 mile, has grown to a 2200m race. It is now one of South Africa’s top sporting events, renowned for its remarkable impact on fashion and entertainment. With a R4.25 million purse, the Durban July 2024 event welcomed around 45,000 visitors. Attendees were able to access the marquee village, which featured 20 VIP marquees, through a tunnel beneath the racecourse.
Set in coastal Durban, the event provided a platform for attendees to express their fashion sense and indulge in the luxurious atmosphere, which makes it a famous highlight of South Africa’s social calendar. The theme for this year’s Durban July was “Ride the Wave,” and the event lived up to its reputation for high fashion with popular celebrities and politicians like Jessica Nkosi, Lamiez, LootLove and Kenny Kunene attending, dressed in stylish and sometimes extravagant outfits that showcased the latest trends and designs inspired by coral reefs and marine life.
Of course, in typical Mzansi fashion, there was no shortage of unintentional entertainment, with a fair share of epic flops. Jessica Nkosi’s urchin-themed look and Lerato Kganyago’s galaxy cowboy attire missed the mark. BET award-winning singer Makhadzi’s last-minute dress led to her being trolled endlessly and rightfully. Makhadzi’s own brother, DJ Zonzo, tried to help her pose in ways that might have made the dress work better, but it didn’t work at all. Her outfit was just hideous.
There were also a fair amount of hits. Big Brother Mzansi star Liyema Pantsi stunned audiences with three stunning dresses from local and lesser-known designers. The first was designed by Khothatso Madumo of Angel Gabriel Designs, the second, by Sammy J Ntsethe Ndadane of Sammyj Designs, and the third, by Iman Shaik of Is_Apparel, an elegant royal blue dress with a wave-like arm structure and pearls to evoked the ocean theme. She was just one of the celebrities at the Durban July who made bold fashion statements.
Thando Thabethe dazzled viewers in a mermaid-inspired gown by Willet Designs Couture, while Reinhard Mahalie‘s dramatic ensemble echoed Rihanna’s Met Gala look with a fluid oyster-like train and cape by House of Poulton. Phupho Gumede‘s unique design by Malondie featured wave-like rope strips, Khosi Twala‘s gown had reflective sequins resembling aquatic scales, and Sandile Mahlangu wore a multicoloured Imprint suit. Mzukisi Mbane used his outfit to raise HIV/AIDS awareness, donning an azure and white ensemble with a tribute to gay activist Simon Nkoli.
But this good gesture was somewhat overshadowed when Julius Malema turned up with his wife at the Durban July, wearing R28,000 Christian Louboutin shoes. Altogether, the couple’s high-end fashion was said to be worth around R150,000. This sparked debate as critics argue that Malema’s expensive taste contradicts his role as a champion of the poor, while supporters defend his right to enjoy luxury. Malema defended his style, stating it doesn’t affect his political values or commitment, but his choice divided opinions on social media.
As the founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), established in 2013 after being expelled from the ANC Youth League, Malema has positioned himself as a radical Marxist and Black nationalist force in South African politics. Not that many necessarily have implicit faith in the man himself who has always been flashy and flamboyant, but as his party grows, it becomes increasingly fair to question whether it, just like the ANC is exploiting Black poverty for its own gains. Whether Malema is more of a celebrity than a politician.
Everywhere you turn, you hear all about how South Africa is one of the most unequal societies in the world. Its economic inequality, rooted in its colonial and apartheid past is what made Malema rich and we can look up to him in that sense. A South African story of rags to riches. The South African dream, as it were. The truth is that celebrities are not responsible for inequality, they are responsible for entertainment. They prolly taste rank anyway so no one actually wants to eat them, but when they turn up at these things, we do want to say they ate.
