Just 1 day after the opening of the 2021 Ballito Rage, organisers decided to cancel the event after 36 positive Covid-19 cases were detected in initial testing yesterday.

The event kicked off last night, with 940 matric leavers being tested over the course of the day at Rage passport collection and at the dedicated Sound Factory venue. 

Thirty-two of these pupils tested positive, with another 4 staff also added to the list.

“The festival opened for the first time on Tuesday, 30 November with unprecedented Covid-19 protocols in place, including mandatory vaccinations for all staff and guests and pre-arrival Covid-19 tests for all guests.

“A testing facility was set up near the event site and staff testing commenced on 29 November; of the first 122 staff tested, zero presented positive,” said festival spokesperson Darren Sandras.

The remaining staff and all guests were tested on Tuesday, which is when the positive cases were identified.

Health Department officials were on site and together with Rage officials, they organised the necessary isolation and contact tracing of the positive individuals.

“After further exhaustive review this morning, consultation and guidance from the local and provincial Health Department and other key stakeholders, the decision was collectively made to cancel the event going forward based on the data now available to us,” said Sandras.

The festival further commended and thanked the KwaZulu-Natal and iLembe Health Departments, along with municipal, Saps and Chamber of Commerce officials who worked together to deliver the safest possible event.

“While we understand the disappointment that this causes for those who were looking forward to enjoying the festival, these are unprecedented times.

“We appreciate everyone’s understanding and support. Ticket holders will receive further information in the coming days via email.”

“We strongly urge all ticketholders who choose to stay in the area and/or travel during the holiday period to continue to be extremely responsible, stay safe and play their part in fighting the spread of Covid-19.”