Sir Pierre matriculant speaks out after botched matric dance

SIR Pierre Van Ryneveld matriculant, Naledi Sigabi (18), opened her heart to Express following the debacle with the school’s farewell.

She said pupils wanted their money back from the event organiser, Jabulani Jay Stifler Sithole, who failed to deliver their matric dance and after party on Friday, November 27.

“We were naïve, we trusted him because he organised last year’s matric dance at Summer Place in Boksburg and it was a success,” said Sigabi.

She said the class of 2015 was trying to organise another matric dance for themselves on December 10. “We are trying to raise funds and ask anyone who can assist us to sponsor or donate towards us having another matric dance. We had the most important day of our lives taken away from us.”

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• Sir Pierre matrics, parents turn violent after matric dance con

Parents and pupils were involved in mob justice against Sithole on the night of the matric dance when the matriculants were denied entry into Midrand Conference Centre despite having fully paid Sithole by the end of August.

Sigabi said they did not condone the mob justice on the night. “We know what we did was wrong, he should have come out earlier to explain to us,” she said.

She explained that after standing outside the venue from 5pm, Sithole only addressed the students and their parents at around 8:45pm.

“He said, guys I messed up. I missed one payment. He didn’t want a video taken and that made everyone even angrier. People took sticks and started hitting him,” she explained.

Sigabi said they did not think they would receive refunds from Sithole.

After reading the article published by EXPRESS, the pupils were irritated at Sithole’s response to the night.

“He has no remorse, he’s still not willing to admit that he was wrong. It annoyed us but we decided to focus on our upcoming matric dance.”

The matric dance organiser said he paid the venue in full and extra. “If I didn’t pay, I wouldn’t pitch, I mean I’m not stupid,” he said.

The venue where the after party was supposed to take place is apparently under construction.

“We paid R700 for the main venue and food and an extra R100 for the after party. I even bought two extra tickets. When we arrived at Jodema Estate, where the after party was supposed to take place, it was under construction,” she pointed out.

Sigabi said Sithole had been communicating with students via a Whatsapp group chat and updating them on developments until the day of the event.

“On the day he wasn’t responding to our calls or messages, then he sent a message saying he was running late because of a minor car accident he had been involved in.”

If you would like to assist the pupils in any way, contact Bongumusa on 079 827 6302 or Siya on 084 220 8609.

See video of Sigabi talking to Express at www.kemptonexpress.co.za