Anele Mdoda rocked the 2025 Oscars in a proudly South African aesthetic! In line with the Xhosa film up for the Oscar, ‘The Last Ranger’, Anele’s Xhosa-inspired Oscars dress dazzled the red carpet in a whole new way.
Global (04 March 2025) — Amid all the many show-stopping looks that graced the 97th Academy Awards was the gorgeous Anele Mdoda, whose Oscars dress stood out for all the best reasons.
Anele rocked a Xhosa aesthetic—Umbhaco traditional wear—on the red carpet in line with the Xhosa film, ‘The Last Ranger’ which was up for the Academy Award.
Produced by Kindred Films and supported by Executive Producer Anele of Rose and Oaks Media, The Last Ranger tells the goosebump-inducing story of a young and wild Litha (Liyabona Mroqoza) and her life-changing journey through a game reserve as guided by the last remaining ranger, Khuseka (Avumile Qongqo).
The short-film captured audiences for its heart-tugging narrative, and it wasn’t long until it was shortlisted for the Best Live Action Short Film category before scooping an official nomination!
For South Africans everywhere, the nomination alone was a huge deal. However, for the Xhosa community, it was even more significant. Even though the film didn’t take home the Oscar, its journey this far has already shown the world that there is space for stories like this in the most prestigious places.
As Anele shared: “The Last Ranger is the first Xhosa anything to be nominated for an Oscar so I thought it fitting to rock a Xhosa aesthetic.”
Director of The Last Ranger, “To have an isiXhosa film about rhino poaching in the running for an Oscar makes me so proud.”
Anele’s gorgeous Oscar dress was made by designer Asanda Madyibi.
“Umbhaco is Xhosa traditional wear and as you can see, it’s worldly and most importantly, regal. thank you Asanda. Brief nailed,” she praised the talented designer.
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