Matric Rage Celebrations Not a Time to Act Irresponsibly

Joint Statement By Debbie Schäfer, Western Cape Minister of Education and Donald Grant, Minister of Transport and Public Works

Today (26 November 2015), candidates in the 2015 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations will write the last of the major examinations, History Paper 2.

Exams are scheduled to end tomorrow, Friday 27 November 2015, but many candidates will today be heading to annual ‘matric rage parties’ in towns across the province, particularly in Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay.

To those candidates who are finished writing, please be mindful that some candidates will write up until 27 November 2015. We appeal to those candidates to stay focused in these remaining few days.

Matric candidates have worked very hard to get to this point in their lives and while their desire to celebrate is understandable, we appeal to them to do so responsibly. 

We encourage all candidates who will be participating in “matric rage parties” to do so responsibly and to use additional registered car services and public transport services that are available when travelling between venues. Candidates must also refrain from getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. Candidates must exercise caution when on the roads, and ensure that they:

• Always obey the speed limit and other rules of the road.
• Avoid distractions whilst driving.
• Avoid late night driving where possible, or driving when tired.
• Ensure that they and their passengers are always buckled up.

Provincial and municipal traffic services are on high alert over this period, and ready for any eventuality. A no-nonsense approach will again be adopted to any transgressions during this time. Let us work together to ensure that this time of celebration isn’t marred by reckless and irresponsible behaviour that endangers lives. We must work in partnership to avoid any unnecessary injury or death at all costs.

We are grateful that such celebrations in recent times have been conducted without any serious incident. We hope that this year will be no different.

Candidates are also reminded that they must be available to write up until the 9 December to cater for any eventuality that may arise.

We appeal to all matric candidates to not spoil what should be a well-earned celebration. You have the rest of your lives ahead of you – a moment of irresponsibility can have a lifetime of consequences.