The Sunday News
Allan Foti, Sunday Life Correspondent
BARELY two months after his inauguration, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has already defined himself as an exceptionally conscious dresser, able to discern the importance of choosing just the right colours for just the right occasions.
Many will wonder what difference the colour of a suit has but while being able to read between the lines as a politician talks his game and tries to win us over can be entertaining as well as enlightening, there are a few things like colour and clothing choices, specific word choices and catch phrases, body language and gestures, as well as props and objects of association that catch the eye.
To most people, the colours one chooses for particular events and occasions as well as for particular audiences is not very important but not so for the man popularly known as ‘‘Garwe’’.
When we see certain colours, they produce chemical reactions in our brains that can make us feel certain emotions. For example you are more likely to order more food in a restaurant that is decorated with a lot of red because that colour makes us hungry. Sports teams often paint the opposing team’s locker room pink because that colour makes people tired. Guests on late night TV shows hang out in what is called a Green Room before coming on stage because green is the most calming and relaxing.
Sunday Life takes a brief look at colour and clothing choices that President Mnangagwa has made since he took office and began executing his duties.
Blue suits, shirts, and ties:
Blue is probably the most popular colour when engaging with the masses. On President Mnangagwa, these dark blues have allowed us to understand the smarts, oneness, and trustworthiness of our leader. They also allow us to get a glimpse of the President’s true nature: a regular, average fellow that he is. During his inauguration this colour choice allowed him to connect with the thousands of people who attended the event at the National Sports Stadium and the millions more who watched the momentous occasion on TV.
Black and grey suits:
When he has chosen to dress in black, this choice has made evident his strength as a leader and air of authority or power that is around him, especially at formal events. Dark grey makes an individual seem conservative. His light greys, blues, and other soft colours have showed off his social and approachable demeanour.
Red ties:
Red is an aggressive colour that can make people feel passionate, angry, or hungry. The President has often put on red ties showing how decisive, bold, and assertive he can be.
Brown suits and ties:
This colour co-ordination shows off the President’s most appealing character trait: being a down to earth politician who is happy to connect with his constituents. Over the years, President Mnangagwa has often appealed to the masses with his humour and connection with everyday issues of the everyday Zimbabwean.
Purple ties:
A man of undoubted intellect, when President Mnangagwa has chosen to go purple, he exudes raw financial muscle which has allowed him to relate to the wealthiest men and women of today’s world. This choice has allowed him to swim with the sharks, so to speak. It is a colour associated mainly with religions, spirituality, luxury, and royalty and is often favoured by financial advisors when making public appearances. -@AllanFoti
