New variant deters matrics from attending Ballito Rage

THE new Covid-19 variant has instilled fear in some matric pupils, deterring them from attending the popular Ballito Rage festival that starts today.

The festival, an annual event for matric pupils, runs for five consecutive nights until December 6.

Last year’s Rage was labelled a super-spreader event after many pupils who had attended tested positive for Covid-19.

“I will not be attending the rage because I am trying by all means to follow Covid-19 protocols. I am also very scared of the virus so I tend to keep my crowd very small to limit the chances,” said Jade Doorgachad, 18, from Glenwood.

Thokozani Cele, 17, from Umgababa

said attending crowded spaces such as the Rage festival would put her and her family members at risk.

“This will be my first December that I am free to spend with my family and friends. These are the people I am comfortable around and we could take off our masks because most of us are vaccinated. Going to the festival where there will be many people would endanger those around me, especially the elders in my family,” said Cele.

Department of Education spokesperson Kwazi Mthethwa said: “As the department we fully do not condone any form of entertainment. We have not played any part in organising such parties or celebrations. We must remember this event became a superspreader last year, which resulted in an outrageous increase in the number of positive cases. We are therefore urging pupils to prevent such an event.”

Rage organisers confirmed the event would go ahead with only vaccinated attendees and staff allowed.

“Ballito Rage reiterates that it has all available Covid-19 safety precautions in place, well beyond those mandated by the government and advised by our highly skilled Covid-19 team,” organisers said.