WITH the final matric exams being written on Tuesday, 7 December, many grade 12 pupils are planning their pens-down parties.
But, KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala is pleading with parents and pupils not to have these parties due to the high number of Covid-19 cases in the province.
He said such parties were super-spreaders, and appealed to pupils not to put their lives at risk.
“They don’t only endanger their lives, but ultimately of all those around them,” he said.
Zikalala warned all those who intended to hold such events that people’s lives were a priority.
“These gatherings are often characterised by consumption and risky behaviour, which pose a real threat to human life, especially in the wake of the new Omicron variant.
“We expect parents to play a leading role in guiding their children by ensuring that they are safe to enter the next stage of their lives after matric,” said Zikalala.
One of the annual events in KZN, with a huge turn-out, is the Ballito Rage Festival. But, it had to be cancelled this year after some of the organisers tested positive for Covid-19.
Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu welcomed the cancellation.
“We have been working with organisers from October to find the best way to manage this event. But, we could not close it down ourselves at the time and agreed we would manage the numbers according to regulations.
“We agreed that there will be certain protocols in place, such as participants producing a vaccination certificate to prove that they are negative. They were to be screened and tested on site. So, the decision to cancel the festival was due to the fact that out of 50 people who tested, 10 were positive,” she said.
Simelane-Zulu urged other organisers to consider postponing their events.
