Matric party a success

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Matriekbaai being held in Mossel Bay has been a success. It is the first such "matric rave" to be held here and has been characterised by a high-security presence and good organisation.

It started on 2 December and ends tomorrow, Saturday 10 December.

The number of attendees has increased each night.

PHOTO GALLERY: Matriekbaai 2022

Organiser Lian Fourie said there were 1 200 attendees on Saturday, 3 December, then 1 600 on Monday.

On Tuesday night, 6 December, there were 2 000 attendees. There is an age restriction; it is for 18 to 22 year olds only.

At the time of going to press Fourie said many tickets had been sold for last night (Thursday) because popular performers were lined up for the evening.

Afterparties

The stage entertainment takes place at Dias Beach and ends at 22:00 each night and after that the afterparties take place at Bakgat and Blasters in Voorbaai and De Dekke in Great Brak. The afterparties last until 02:00.

Fourie collaborated with these venues to host the afterparties. He said he did not wish to turn the Matriekbaai attendees out on the street at 22:00. It was better that they had somewhere organised to go to.

He promoted Matriekbaai long before the event at Afrikaans schools in all provinces.

He says most of the visitors come from the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and then the Free State, Limpopo and Gauteng.

"It's been positive. We're expecting to double attendance next year. We aimed at 1 000 people this year, so it exceeded expectations."

Fourie said: "The kids have amazing spirit. They're fun, good kids and they listen to us when we speak to them. There have been no serious incidents."

Fourie, who has 12 years' event organisation experience, noted it took two or three years to make an event like this a success. He said he had to invest much money in safety and security. "This year will not see much of a profit margin."

Ferrying

For the ferrying of the Matriekbaai-goers he teamed up with local minibus taxi owners, who obtained permits. "This was a good plan for safety."

Matrics buy tickets for taxis in advance and there is also a number they can call if they need a taxi immediately.

Fourie said 70% of the matrics are staying in Hartenbos and Dias.

"We joined hands with the ATKV Hartenbos Resort because it can accommodate many people."

As part of the Matriekbaai activities, trees were to be planted at Sonskynvallei on Thursday, 8 December.

The tree planting was to take place at 12:00 at Sonskynvallei, on the R328 road to Oudtshoorn. A group of matrics were to be present for the planting.

Matriekbaai organisers are collaborating with the municipality, which has a tree planting campaign.

Trees

Ten trees were to be planted at Sonskyn-vallei and the rest of a total of 2 000 trees contributed by the Matriekbaai organisers, will be planted elsewhere in the greater Mossel Bay area as a "legacy of the Matriekbaai", municipal community services director Elize Nel says.

On Sunday evening Mossel Bay executive mayor Dirk Kotzé visited the Matriekbaai venue to thank those involved in safety and security there for their contribution.

Kotzé noted on his Facebook page that the Public Order Policing officers were "working through the night to ensure visitors to our town are kept safe while they enjoy Matriekbaai, as well as to ensure residents continue to enjoy high quality community safety".

He noted that the Da Gamaskop Community Policing Forum and Sector 2 neighbourhood watches - Dias, Island View, Hartenbos, Seemeupark, Bay View and Hartenbos Heuwels - were also playing an active role.

Kotzé said: "Thank you for the incredibly important work you do."

Fourie praised Philip Mattheus, vice-chairman of the Da Gamaskop Cluster Community Policing Forum, for doing an excellent job. Fourie added that the municipality, police, traffic authorities, community policing forums and neighbourhood watches had all collaborated well on safety issues. There was also a strong presence of private security vehicles at Dias Beach.

Dirk Kotzé (centre, white shirt) and his wife Riëtte with roleplayers in safety and security at the Matriekbaai. Photo: Supplied