Rage Festival Ballito. Image: Rage Festival/Facebook
Three matriculants killed in a crash coming from a pens down party
The three matriculants who lost their lives coming from a pens down party have been described as dedicated by their teachers.
Rage Festival Ballito. Image: Rage Festival/Facebook
Three matriculants from Mnyanande Secondary in KwaZulu-Natal have tragically passed away, while three others are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after they were involved in a car accident coming from a pens down party.
The accident reportedly happened on Monday, 4 December, just days after most of the matric class of 2023 wrapped up their National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.
THREE MATRICULANTS KILLED IN A CRASH
KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Mbali Frazer visited Mnyanande Secondary School to meet with educators and convey her condolences to the affected families.
Frazer said tragedies like these are always tricky in the department because they share a common goal with parents and educators – the aspiration to witness all learners prosper.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to their loved ones, educators, and fellow learners,” she said.
The deceased learners have been identified as 19-year-old Thandokuhle Khumalo, 18-year-old Anele Majola, and 18-year-old Luyanda Vilakazi.
ALSO READ: Learners warned against pens down parties as exams conclude
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WARNS AGAINST PENS DOWN PARTIES
Just days after the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) hosted a pens down party for matriculants, the South African Government took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share a poster on behalf of the Department of Basic Education who warned of the possibilities of having unwanted and unsafe sex during these celebrations.
ALSO READ: NO LEAK in matric exam papers
“#Pensdown celebrations can involve the use of drugs and alcohol, which can lead to incidents such as reckless sexual encounters. These celebrations may also lead to loss of lives. Choose to say NO!”
One of the largest of these festivals is the Rage Festival (matric rage) which takes place over 9 days in Ballito, Umhlanga and Durban which is attended by more than 13 000 youth between the ages of 18 and 25.
