Matrics party up a storm

But department suggests caution

ALL roads lead to Plettenberg Bay this weekend, as Grade 12 pupils descend on the Garden Route town in their thousands to celebrate the end of their final exams.

The last National Senior Certificate exam papers – Visual Arts and Music paper two – were written yesterday, marking not only the end of the exams but the end of the school careers of thousands of Grade 12 pupils in public and private schools.

Matric candidates who spoke to Weekend Argus this week said they were on their way to Plett to join thousands of other Grade 12s from various parts of the country in a week-long party.

“It’s a time for us to relax and go to the beach or enjoy music shows with friends,” said Helen Acton of Herschel School. She and her friends were renting a house which would be their home for the coming week of celebrations.

Schoolmate Shandukani Mulaudzi, who was also looking forward to the trip, said she was excited.

“It’s a week-long party to celebrate the end of the final exams,” Mulaudzi said.

The prospective UCT students planned to use the time to recover from the exams, which they described as “not easy, but manageable”.

But Samantha Hearn will give the festival a miss.

“I am not going because my friends pulled out and I do not want to go without them,” she said.

Celebrations for her will constitute going out with and chilling with friends in Cape Town.

The Western Cape Education Department has warned against over-indulgence during the celebrations.

“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,” spokeswoman Jessica Shelver said.

The department encouraged all taking part in matric rage parties to refrain from driving after drinking alcohol, to always obey the speed limit and other rules of the road, and to avoid distractions while driving. “Avoid late-night driving where possible, or driving when tired, and ensure that you and your passengers are always buckled up,” she said.