Matriculants are urged to consider risks linked to the coronavirus if they attend the end of year Rage previously considered a super-spreader event, in which many people are infected at once, typically by a single person.
With the end of the national senior certificate final exam in sight, matriculants across South Africa are looking forward to the ultimate afterparty, the Rage.
The event is held in two different parts of the country in Ballito, Umhlanga from November 30 to December 6. Then in Plettenberg Bay between December 3 until 7. Events in Jeffreys Bay are yet to be confirmed and Johannesburg Rage has been postponed until 2022.
Western Cape minister of education Debbie Schäfer has urged revellers to be cautious, especially in a time of a pandemic.
Schäfer referred back to an incident last year, where a large cluster of cases developed as a result of matrics attending rage festival events in KwaZulu-Natal.
Many of those who tested positive had travelled to the coast from Gauteng and “returned home taking Covid with them.”
The minister added that she was also concerned that many of these events take place during the matric exams, rather than after them.
“This creates a very real risk that a learner might get Covid and miss some of their final exams if they become very ill – something that will have a major impact on them next year as they will only be able to write again in June.”
There is also a concern that the attendees, will run the risk of spreading the virus to family, friends, and classmates.
She said: “I urge learners and their parents to consider whether these and other social events are worth the risk. Yes, we may have lower numbers of active cases in our province and country at present, but we know from the experience of other countries that it is only a matter of time before another wave arrives. We must do everything we can to avoid contributing to an increase in the number of cases.
“It has been a tough two years for our Class of 2021, and I understand that learners want to enjoy the end of the matric year with their friends. But they are also entering adulthood and must accept the responsibility to keep themselves, their families and their friends safe.
“Matrics, you are on the home stretch and the exams are nearly over. Staying focused on your exams right now is an investment in your own future. There will be plenty of time for celebrating later once you have completed your exams. All the best for the remaining exams.”