Durban - As matric pupils celebrate the end of their school lives, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has urged them to be responsible.
“We are expecting learners to celebrate from (Friday) and to go to places like the Rage, but we plead with them to celebrate responsibly,” spokesman, Muzi Mahlambi, said on Thursday night.
The Rage Festival, which is expected to attract thousands of school-leavers, takes place at a Ballito venues and nightclubs, as well as in uMhlanga and Durban, from Friday until next Saturday.
“We have heard about this Rage and we understand learners want to celebrate their freedom as young adults, but please be responsible. Alcohol and drugs are not ways to celebrate – we don’t want to spend Christmas with some of our learners in prison or dead,” Mahlambi said. “They must be responsible.”
Added Mahlambi: “We urge learners not to do anything they will regret.”
The Daily News asked some pupils, some who have arrived in Durban from around the country, how they planned to celebrate – and study further:
* Cayla Jacobs, 18, Yeshiva College in Johannesburg: ‘This year I came (to Durban) with a group of friends to celebrate.’ She said they would return home on Tuesday, and then go camping with her family before going to Israel for a gap year.
...
* Anelisa Tshomela, 17, Newlands East Secondary: ‘I do not have any plans for December and plan to stay at home. For next year, I plan to study psychology at Varsity College.’
...
* Danya Falkson, 18, Yeshiva College in Johannesburg: ‘We plan to go out and get drunk a bit, but not too much. We will also go to the beach and eat good food. I plan to take a year off and travel to Israel and other different countries.’
...
* Sasha Price, 18, Yeshiva College: ‘I am just here to relax and have fun. I have applied to university and after this I am going to Cape Town on holiday with my family.’ She said some of her friends were coming to Durban on Friday for the Rage.
...
* Fabio de Silva, 18, Edenvale High School: ‘I feel great, I feel free, no more homework, no more detentions. I plan to party and get dead drunk. I will be going to the Rage. Next year, I plan to study part-time in information technology.’