President Cyril Ramaphosa Julius Malema

Malema was bot buying Ramaphosa’s cheap suit talk at this year’s SONA. Images via Twitter/Instagram: @cyrilramaphosa/@julius_sello_malema

SONA 2022: Ramaphosa’s ‘cheap suit’ talk upsets luxury-loving Malema

‘Why is the president telling us about his cheap shoes and is cheap suit,’ asked Malema after Ramaphosa encouraged SA to support local.

President Cyril Ramaphosa Julius Malema

Malema was bot buying Ramaphosa’s cheap suit talk at this year’s SONA. Images via Twitter/Instagram: @cyrilramaphosa/@julius_sello_malema

On Thursday 10 February this week, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed millions of South Africans who eagerly watched as he did the annual State Of the Nation Address (SONA). While Ramaphosa discussed a number of issues the country is currently facing, one of the things that stood out from his speech last night, was the announcement that he was wearing a fairly priced Foschini suit.

His decision to wear a suit from a local store was a clever way to emphasize his message on South Africans supporting local outlets as opposed to the international luxury brands that politicians are often seen wearing.

‘Local is lekker’: Ramaphosa, his Foschini suit, and the meaning behind it

President Cyril Ramaphosa certainly deserves a pat on the back for delivering a message the best way anyone can – by practicing what he preaches.

During last night’s SONA, Ramaphosa made it known that he was dressed by Prestige, a local clothing manufacturing company that is owned by Foschini.

The president also said that his “genuine leather shoes” were manufactured by members of the National Union of Leather and Allied Workers who work at Cape Town-based Bolton Footwear and Dick Whittington Shoes in Pietermaritzburg, News24 reports.

Ramaphosa’s message was clear – shop and support local. At one point, he even jokingly added “local is lekker” while praising retail groups like Foschini for shifting to South African manufacturing.

In fact, over the years, Ramaphosa has made it a point to dress locally – especially when making a public appearance.

ALSO READ: Winning the fight for economic freedom? Julius Malema – from overalls to opulence…

He also praised other local retailers for the ambitious localisation sourcing plans that are currently underway in the steel industry, furniture, and global business services because it is a step in the right direction for building the countries exporting capacity.

“An important pillar of our Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan is to revitalise our manufacturing base and create globally competitive export industries,” he said.

Foschini versus Versace

Ramaphosa’s decision to wear Foschini while addressing millions undoubtedly brings to mind the many occasions where other political leaders stepped out in public from head-to-toe in designer labels such as Louis Vuitton and Versace.

In fact, Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters recently got into a huge spat with a SowetanLive journalist who alleged that he had turned up to vote in November last year wearing Versace jeans worth R2000.

Malema vehemently denied this but was seen a number of other times wearing luxury brands that cost thousands of rands. The ferocious leader was also quoted saying:

“I came to the EFF with Louis Vuitton and Gucci. It does not influence my political consciousness and commitment to the revolution,” in 2019.

While Ramaphosa’s decision to encourage South Africans to support locals may have nothing to do with Julius Malema’s lavish lifestyle, one can’t help but sense a bit of shade…

Especially since Malema reportedly bashed Ramaphosa for discussing his “cheap” suit while the country faces a plethora of other issues.

“Why is the president telling us about his shoes and his cheap suit?” asked Malema angrily while addressing reporters outside the Cape Town City Hall.

ALSO READ: Pants on fire? Malema denies wearing R2 000 Versace jeans while voting