Dramatic business casual chic from Bonang Matheba and more
The stylish necktie trend is all the craze right now, with stars like media personality Bonang Matheba, actor Dineo Langa and celebrity chef Mogau 'The Lazy Makoti' Seshoene adding dimension to their looks with the trend.
But it wouldn't be South Africa without a little drama, and the fashion scene is no exception.
A fusion of business chic and dramatic realness comes from rapper Anele Zondo and presenter Rorisang Thandekiso bring high fashion to traditional wear.
Take a look at some top looks from Mzansi's celebrities this week:
Makoma Mohale's croc-effect cropped jackets adds drama to her smart casual wear
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Rorisang Thandekiso takes traditional chic to another level
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The Lazy Makoti stuns in a crisp white ensemble broken up by a black Rich Mnisi tie and green clutch bag
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An all-black affair with Angela Sithole
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Dineo Langa brings together the season's hottest trends in this burgundy look fitted with a necktie
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Anele Zondo's hot pink blazer dress and dramatic tulle look takes business chic to new heights
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Londie London is standing on business in a neutral-toned oversized blazer, trouser and loafers combo
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Bonang Matheba channels timeless elegance in a white pin-striped suit
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'It's been a wonderful ride': Strawbs' Dave Cousins and The Magic Of It All
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I have every intention of doing so.' Chatting from his home in Sandgate, near Folkestone in Kent, Cousins is admirably upbeat despite recent health trials including a major cancer op, stent procedures and a full knee replacement. He has plenty to say about the new record's songs, and the South African musicians who feature on it, alongside fellow Strawbs Blue Weaver and John Ford. But Prog also feels duty bound to address ongoing controversies regarding who does and does not play upon the new LP, and why. When news broke that absentees included long-timers Chas Cronk (bass) and Dave Lambert (lead guitar), plus Dave Bainbridge (keys and guitar since 2015) and Tony Fernandez (intermittent drummer stool since 1977), a ruckus broke out on Facebook. So what's the story? 'There was misinformation from fans and band members,' asserts Cousins. 'I found it deeply hurtful. There was resentment and vindictiveness – people saying this new album isn't the real Strawbs. I won't name names, but band members weren't saying things directly, they were recruiting other people to say things for them, which made it even worse. 'For me, the continuity of the band has always been about the strength of the songs rather than individual players. Anyway, with Blue Weaver and John Ford on the new record, this is absolutely a Strawbs album.' The acrimony hasn't come from out of nowhere. With Weaver producing, Cronk, Lambert, Bainbridge and Fernandez all played on 2021's Settlement, which followed on from 2019's Strawbs 50th Anniversary Weekend in Lakewood, New Jersey. Even then, there was trouble at t'mill. 'The band didn't like Settlement,' says Cousins. 'I did. I thought it had a great flow, but the others were like, 'Oh, this is Dave Cousins and friends, innit?' Tony Fernandez [whose drum parts were replaced the release] wrote and said, 'Is this some kind of April fool's joke? This doesn't sound like any Strawbs album I've ever heard.' I thought, 'What are you on about?' Ultimately I had to decide what worked best for the songs – and when Settlement charted very high in the prog and folk charts, I was vindicated.' While those tensions must have been a factor in Cousins' Strawbs planning thereafter, he says the rebooted line-up's South African odyssey arose out of chance. When his partner visited family in Cape Town, he decided to join her. 'But the air fare was expensive,' he says, 'so I thought I'd try to play some shows while I was there.' To his surprise he drew enthused crowds, proving that South Africa had an ongoing love for the Strawbs . It's the legacy of their great popularity there in the early 70s when classics Lay Down, Part Of The Union and New World chimed with those contesting the apartheid system's Natives Resettlement Act, which aimed to remove black residents from parts of Johannesburg. 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