South Africa’s African National Congress has launched a range of branded leather jackets in a quest to inspire a sense of “identity” in its followers. However, local experts say it is a big fashion mistake by the ruling party.
Quite a few of the 19 styles for men and women advertised on the party's official website, are neon green, neon yellow or a combination of the two. Prices range from R1 620 ($217) to R1 944 ($267). And those who wear them needn't worry about disappearing in a crowd.
President Jacob Zuma was seen in one of them called "The President" - at the ANC's victory party in Johannesburg in April last year.
"The President" is black with green and yellow panels in a military style.
Unaffordable
Another design seems to hint at a school blazer with its bright yellow body and black sleeves with lime green facing around the sleeves.
Despite the variety and the unquestioned effort, local fashion experts are not at all enthusiastic over ANC's new venture.
Bongiwe Khumalo, a fashion and lifestyle writer for the Sowetan newspaper says the prices may be too steep for most ANC supporters - a majority of whom are poor.
She adds that the "over-use" of colour does nothing for their quality.
"They failed to use colour wisely. This makes the jackets look like they are made from cheap fabric... If something costs an arm and a leg then it must be worth every cent I spend on it," she says.
Star Trek
Thebe Mabanga, parliamentary correspondent for the Financial Times magazine, is less scathing.
"The presidential design is brilliant," he says.
But even he adds that one "looks like something from Star Trek".
He also notes that many South African politicians already have a sharp sense of style and so maybe don't need such outlandish creations to make a statement.
'Satisfying' turnover
Daryl Swanepoel, co-convenor of the ANC's Progressive Business Forum, said the range of jackets, all made with genuine leather, are part of a series of ANC marketing items to promote its identity.
"We're satisfied with the turnover. We receive daily enquiries." He said
The jackets are manufactured in Durban by one of the companies which participate in the forum. Swanepoel said that it because the ANC believes in "buying South African".
Source: News24/BBC
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