Matric Rage 2025: Party smart, stay safe

AS MATRIC Rage 2025 approaches, young people are urged to embrace their newfound freedom responsibly by planning, staying aware, and making smart safety choices.

Matric Rage 2025 events, from the KwaZulu-Natal coastline to Plettenberg Bay, are a rite of passage, but with freedom comes risk: road accidents, theft, and drink-related incidents remain serious concerns. To mitigate these risks, Fidelity Services Group is offering key safety tips for matriculants to ensure a memorable and safe celebration.

Plan your freedom

Know where you're going, who you're with, and how you'll get home. Share your plans and live location with a trusted contact. This simple step can make a significant difference in case of an emergency.

Leverage technology

If you're driving, consider installing a real-time tracking app, which updates your location every two seconds. This enables real-time accident alerts and faster emergency dispatch, where every second counts.

Stay alert in crowds

Keep an eye on your friends and belongings. If something feels off — suspicious behaviour, an unattended drink, or unusual circumstances — alert security or the police immediately.

Travel responsibly

Never walk alone or accept lifts from strangers. Use official event shuttles, taxis, or assign a sober designated driver. 

Protect your digital footprint

Think carefully before posting your location or tagging friends at venues. Social media exposure can inadvertently put you at risk.

Additional safety tips

• Do not accept drinks from strangers and do not leave your drinks unattended.
• If you leave the place where you are staying, tell someone where you are going and the time you expect to return.
• Save the number of a trusted contact to your mobile phone or memorise the details of the person to be contacted in the event of an emergency.

By following these simple safety tips, matriculants can ensure a memorable and safe celebration.

"Our goal is for every matriculant to return home with great memories, not cautionary tales," says Charnel Hattingh, group head of marketing and communications at Fidelity Services Group. "Freedom and safety can absolutely go hand in hand; it just takes awareness, planning, and smart decisions."