Blaque Nubon hosted The Grootman’s Table, proudly presented by Jaecoo an uplifting space where men could drop the armour, get real, and talk about things rarely discussed out loud, like mental health, self-care, and everything in between. The event drew a lineup of familiar faces, including legendary actor and TV host Nimrod Nkosi, Zulu Makhathini, Alphi Mkhwanazi, Zweli Dube, Solo, Ntate Chicco Twala, and South African hip hop trailblazer Maggz, to name a few.
One thing this gathering proved? Contrary to popular belief, South African men do dress up and they take their looks very seriously. Some arrived fashionably armed and ready, while others… well, they showed up with plenty of confidence but maybe not enough ammunition.
Here are some of our favourite and not-so-favourite looks from the day:
Alphi
Alphi pulled up with cool, effortless neat cornrows, a bold beard, and oversized sunglasses that practically shouted confidence. His open brown shirt paired with white linen pants created the perfect relaxed-yet-polished vibe. He looked like the guy destined to be the smoothest person in any room.
Solo
Solo brought playful style to the party, rocking a soft pink and neon yellow Boys of Soweto sweater that screamed comfort and confidence. His clean braids and sleek sunglasses added that unmistakable “I know I look good” energy. He didn’t just come to the Grootman’s Table, he came to steal the spotlight without lifting a finger.
Blaque Nubon
Blaque looked like he walked straight off the set of a vintage fashion film cool, classy, and effortlessly stylish. His bright red beanie was a bold mic-drop, while the textured blazer, loose brown trousers, and polished shoes served old school sophistication. The white tank made it casual, the layered jewellery tied it all together, and the whole look simply said: I’m the host, and I know it.
Zulu Makhathini
Zulu kept it clean, sharp, and full of personality. Boys of Soweto made another appearance, this time in a striking red golfer that made a bold entrance. His beige tailored pants and classic loafers toned things down perfectly. And the fedora an accessory most people get terribly wrong looked spot on, giving his outfit a retro charm that tied the whole look together. Confident, colourful, cool effortlessly.
But of course, not everyone earned gold stars some needed a quick trip to wardrobe detention:
Mohale
Mohale’s look had great individual pieces, but they were all shouting over each other. The mustard sweater was strong on its own, but combined with the wide-brim hat, suspenders, and sunglasses, things got a little busy. Removing just one statement piece would instantly refine the look and let that amazing colour really shine.
Zweli
Zweli’s monochrome blue fit came with confidence, but the sleeveless top and tailored shorts combo leaned a little too “gym meets casual brunch.” Swapping one item like a short-sleeve shirt or more structured shorts would instantly elevate the outfit without losing the bold colour moment.
J
This purple ensemble had presence, no doubt, but the oversized sunglasses and slightly misplaced chest pocket threw off what could’ve been a sleek, elegant silhouette. A sharper pair of shades and a cleaner front would’ve let the rich colour and tailoring do all the talking.
In the end, Jaecoo created more than an event they built a much-needed platform. A true men’s conference that uplifts, celebrates, and spotlights men who lead, mentor, and inspire. A gathering where style meets substance and both showed up.
