MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Matric farewells are a highlight of the year - not only for the attendees - but for the whole Mossel Bay community.
The Mossel Bay Advertiser eagerly uploads photographs on to its website each year to create picture galleries of the various schools' farewells, displaying all the different styles of dress.
The number of views is huge as members of the community gaze at the designs: the opulent, the frilly and lacy, the boldly colourful, the sleek and classical or the outrageous and daring.
But, it seems that after the lockdown and the financial pressures on families and practical constraints of matrics not being able to source fabric and trimmings during the lockdown, matric farewells will be more scaled down this year.
Most farewells are being postponed. Angelo Theunissen of Sao Bras High School said: "Our farewell was supposed to be held on 29 April, but it has been postponed to September.
Custom-made suit
"It's taking place in the town hall. I've have a custom-made suit done. I have paid half of the cost so far. I'm keeping the colour of my suit a secret.
"But the material is thin and the pants have a zip feature on the leg."
That was all Angelo was happy to disclose about his outfit.
"My partner and I organised our outfits together so we match each other."
Noting that the final details of the farewell were still uncertain because of the effects of the lockdown, Angelo said: "In the end, it is God who will decide what will happen. It is difficult to plan further."
Angelo said the girl who would be at his side for the evening was his best friend and he was pleased about this because they were really comfortable in each other's company.
De la Rey Steyn
Point High School head boy De la Rey Steyn said: "I organised my matric farewell partner last year. I asked her back then. We heard on 20 April that the matric farewell date would change. It was supposed to be in September. We are waiting to hear the new date.
De la Rey noted: "The only planning we have already done was to look at dresses for my partner, because the girl's dress is the most important.
Tuxedo
"I will probably wear a tuxedo, with the tie the same colour as my partner's dress."
In light of the effects of the lockdown on families financially, he said, his tone somber: "I think everyone will be scaling down a bit this year."
Curro Mossel Bay private school learners are known for going "all out" for their matric farewell. The outfits and cars used to transport learners are usually extremely snazzy.
Zanelle Bensch
But Curro learner Zanelle Bensch was notably low key in her response when interviewed about the farewell and it was clear her studies were uppermost in her mind.
"The farewell was supposed to be at the end of July. Due to the lockdown we haven't spoken about it, but I believe it will be postponed.
"We haven't spoken much about it over the past few weeks because of academic pressures."
She said the venue had not been finalised.
"I was going to get a dress in Johannesburg, but because of lockdown I could not go there over the Easter holiday. Some girls have started having their dresses made. My date wanted to have a tuxedo made, but I don't think he's had a chance to look for material because of the lockdown."
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