Just a few get up to mischief at matric rage

A WEEK of wild partying has ended for thousands of matriculants who flocked to Durban for the annual rage festival last week.

Friday night saw the main event, and matrics left KZN to return home yesterday.

Revellers attended a host of parties, with the principal events at The Sound Factory at Kings Park, with five stages, 26 nightclubs and a contingent of 90 international and local performers.

While the festival was all about fun and dance, the organisers came down hard on those found misbehaving.

Four matriculants were detained by police on Friday night after they were caught with ecstasy tablets and dagga.

Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala confirmed the arrests and said the suspects were due to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court today.

She said no other incidents were reported.

Those in attendance forked out thousands of rand to attend, with tickets ranging from R1 000 for general access to R3 650 for a VIP pass.

The festival has become a rite of passage and a way for matrics to celebrate their freedom after 12 years of schooling.

Organiser Greg Walsh of G&G Productions said it was “a resounding success”, with no serious incidents reported.

“We have seen more than 16 000 matriculants attending the events in Durban during the course of the week. At the Sound Factory, we had at least 18 000 pupils a night.

“The event has grown exponentially since its inception in 2004. The VIP tickets sold out in seven minutes when they went on sale in May this year,” said Walsh.

Catherine de Wet, 18, from Joburg, said she flew to Durban especially for the rage and had been planning for the festival since the beginning of the year.

She saved her pocket money to buy tickets, and her parents helped her to cover her travel and accommodation expenses.