Rage boosts local businesses, but drains parents' wallets

Matric rage will benefit the hospitality industry, but parents say the steep costs of travel, accommodation and passes make the celebration too costly for many households.

- By Elaine King

For privileged South African matriculants, it's that time of the year to “Rage” either in Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route or in Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, with the weeklong parties starting on 28 November.

The hospitality industry is in seventh heaven at this time of the year, as about R100-million will be pumped into the economies of Plett and Ballito during this one week of partying.

It’s not just students from Ballito or Plett who will be attending the respective events, because most of the Ragers (as they are called) at both events come from Gauteng, and Pretoria in particular, say organisers.

This will be the 25th edition of Plett Rage and Ballito Rage turns 23 this year, making these events somewhat of a rite of passage for many students finishing matric.

“It’s the moment you've been waiting your whole life for. Rage Festival is the only place where thousands of students from across the country come together to celebrate their freedom. For 12 long years, school has been all you have ever known — rules, uniforms and routines shaping every moment. But now it is finally time for you to break free and step into the adventure of a lifetime. This is your Rage Festival,” is how it is described online at Rage Festival.

Greg Walsh, owner and CEO of Goosebumps Company and Ballito Rage, describes the event as “a defining moment in the South African youth culture”.

Ronen Klugman, CEO and owner of Plett Rage, said attending Rage is “a rite of passage for school leavers”.