September 21, 2006
By Ndaba Dlamini
MEN in fancy suits parade like beauty contestants in front of an impartial judge, reveal their attractive and stylish socks, caress their silk ties, twirl their suit jacket sleeves and let their rings glitter in the light while simultaneously doing about-turns like peacocks.
These are the swenkas, or the best-dressed men in town, who over the years, have been holding competitions in dingy basements of Johannesburg inner-city buildings, in hostels and township halls. On Saturday, 23 September, the general public will have a chance to witness these groups of mostly Zulu men in their ostentatious suits parading inside the marquee at the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown.
The free event, which is part of the City's Arts Alive Festival, will also feature the Onobuhle Competition, the female version of the swenka competition and the audience, on this rare occasion, can expect to see some of the most beautifully dressed people in town compete for various prizes.
The swenka competition was borne out of the 1950s hostel culture when men working in mines and factories used opulent clothing as an expression of style and flair. On Saturday nights, these men left their work clothes behind and donned highly fashionable suits to impress the judge who, in most cases, is randomly picked from the streets.
The swenka competition has evolved over the last 50 years and its entertainment value is seen as surpassing that of any fashion show. The swenkas believe in cleanliness, self-respect, chaste behaviour and support for one another in a miserable world far away from their families.
Each swenka stands before an audience and a judge and in slow motion reveals different aspects of his attire in an impressive movement characterised by theatrical poses and swaggers which border on dramatic choreography.
The winner, who is usually picked by the judge after many gruelling rounds, lives in his new world of being "someone" for the whole week until the weekend when he has to parade before another judge to hopefully reclaim his title.
Apart from showing their integrity and parading their pride, the swenka men compete for prizes ranging from goats and cows to blankets and watches. Traditionally, the prize for the most stylish suit is cash, but on special occasions such as Christmas, the winner may receive a goat or a cow.
The show will start at 10am and the audience will be treated to imbube and isichathamiya music from various groups around Gauteng.
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