Matric Rage Festival: Massive Economic Benefits to KZN North Coast

[dysan1]

The sheer growth in the numbers of people and the amount of events associated with it is staggering. From being very unorganised to basically being the biggest economic tourist driver for Ballito and to a lesser degree Umhlanga is impressive. Seems its getting bigger each year.


Gauteng matrics to invade coast
November 21 2011 at 04:54pm

Sihle Mlambo

EIGHTY thousand matriculants from around the country will celebrate the end of their school careers as they “invade” the golden beaches of Umhlanga and Ballito in the 2011 4U Rage Festival which starts next Friday.

After 12 gruelling years of school, in some cases more, and five years of high school where many were forced to wear blazers in the hot African sun, the two-week-long event, which runs until December 10, is seen as South Africa’s version of a “summer break”, with pupils from all over the country flooding into the coastal towns looking to “de-stress” and party after their toughest test yet, matric.

Greg Walsh, managing director of G&G Productions which organises the event, says: “Rage is about reaching out to our fans, listening to what they want and then delivering back the largest, loudest and most engaging event experience of their lives.”

It all began back in 2001 with only 8 000 ragers and exploded to a roaring 65 000 attending in 2010.

“This year we are going large and are expecting numbers to reach well over 80 000! This is undoubtedly South Africa’s largest youth festival,” Walsh said.

The sun-bleached beaches will be packed with exhilarated ragers as they celebrate their end of year exams and the beginning of freedom.

Monkey Bag Backpackers, which offers rooms and beds to let and also offers camping on its lawn, has been receiving close to 500 calls a day with matric pupils looking to confirm accommodation for the festival.

“There’s a high demand for accommodation, I’m receiving high volumes of calls from people who want accommodation for the Rage, and I am fully booked for the Rage and December bookings are almost closed as well,” said Michael Dempsey.

“A lot of people do not want to deal with the Rage because of destructive incidents in the past, but I feel we need to guide them while they are here.

“I have been here for two years, when these kids come here, they are at their prime, I don’t encourage drinking but I allow it and I also keep an eye on them when they are here.

“A lot of Ballito residents are unhappy about the Rage, but they need to realise the amount of revenue that it pumps into Ballito.

“Ballito is nothing compared to Durban, but with the Rage, the surfing competition and the new airport, they have helped raise the profile of Ballito as a destination,” he said.

And bottle stores are anticipating a busy Rage season after a quiet year in Ballito.

“We have ordered more stock, these kids come here and they buy a lot of booze day and night.

“These kids are a welcome headache, only during Rage do I have to worry about having a Plan-B for stock, they consume more than their parents, it’s unbelievable,” said Dumisani Dube, store manager at Sailors Liquor Store.

Dube said he was elated about the hosting of Rage in the area, and appreciated that it helped boost local businesses.

“The Rage is good for the area, business is very difficult during the year, shops are struggling, it is really quiet, but during the Rage, it is busy. I have had no next-door tenant since January,” he said.

Dube says he now wants to sell condoms to pupils at his bottle store, as the supermarkets do not and the closest alternative shop is at the filling station, a number of kilometres away.

[ToxicBunny]

Very awesome..

Granted I avoid Ballito and parts of Umhlanga during Rage, but thats just a personal preference really.

Also good on Dumisani Dube for thinking ahead, and contemplating selling condoms, if he is the only place nearby that sells them... then I'm very def all for it.. these kids will be having sex, so at least give them the ability to do it safely.

[SA BOY]

its like schoolie week on the Gold Coast or spring break on any of the Florida hot spots. I did spring break 95 in FT Lauderdale and it was insane.

This is nothing new for Ballito as we had New Years jols there with 40 000 people in late 80s and early 90s

[dysan1]

it is very different over the last 5 years simply because it has been completely commercialised. Yes it has run for decades. But now it has been packaged and sold on and brought thousands more in. the events are structured around around 2 weeks party entry pre-bought tickets and transport. its big business and yes is very much on ozzie platform. and the numbers coming are way higher than ever before. an 80000 influx is massive and a big boost all round

[takz]

jeee im going haha

[Lydon]

I did Plett Rage in my Matric year...perfect way to end off a chapter of one's life