No more ‘pens down’, says MEC

Say goodbye to matric farewell after parties and matric holiday. A new party has arrived.

This, however is highly discouraged by schools and even the MEC for Education in Mpumalanga, Mr Sibusiso Malaza, had something to say about it.

During his visit at Witbank High last week Thursday, he highly discouraged this new ‘event’. He said in an interview that this has proven to be the most dangerous parties any child could attend and that parents are oblivious to the reality of this.

This is when matric students write their final exam, they attend parties that include heaps of alcohol, dagga, drugs and more. If this is not controlled, it could end tragically.

ALSO READ

[VIDEO] Under age drinking, littering and utter chaos

One beer, two beer, three beer, jail

“Last year we had many teenage pregnancies and rapes; matriculants even lost their lives. The two students who died, did extremely well in their final exam and passed with distinctions. But due to these parties they died before they knew what was waiting for them in life. This is probably the most tragic of these parties; kids don’t realize what they are doing,” Mr Malaza said.

He added that they tell their parents they are just going to a party, but with drugs and alcohol so easily accessible, parents don’t realize what is happening at these parties.

“You have such a bright future ahead of you. You don’t yet know what you are capable of and what jobs you could be walking into. Don’t mess up or even worse, end your life,” he advised.

He spoke to teachers to encourage them to discourage these parties under matric students who are just thinking of attending or arranging such an event.