A mom from Cape Town who wanted to host a private matric ball for her daughter and friends was stunned after the invitation went ‘viral’ on Facebook. The invitation was posted online without her knowledge and had been shared more than 500 times before she caught wind.
The organiser arranged for the private event to take place at Suikerbossie in Hout Bay on December 15 because her daughter’s school is one of many that opted to not have a matric farewell this year as a result of COVID-19.
However, several schools have decided to proceed with their farewell dances, despite it being discouraged by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
“My daughter’s school was initially going to have a matric ball (but will not). I asked her if she wanted one for her and her friends and she said yes, and then it just kind of happened,” she told the Cape Argus.
She said that they have already reached the maximum capacity of 50 learners and that she intended to remove invite. It was captioned: “For the 2020 matriculants whose schools are not hosting a matric ball this year… This invitation is for you.”
The invitation reveals that there is a cover charge of R470 per person and that the event will take place between 4pm and 10pm.
She made it clear that the matric farewell was only intended for her daughter and friends and was not an open invitation. All attendees of the private function would be required to sign indemnity forms.
She also told the Argus that she adheres to all COVID-19 protocols and safety measures because she lives with an elderly person.
This comes in a week where the Western Cape government has expressed its concern that young people are not ‘adhering to important behaviours‘ meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19 following a party at a southern suburbs bar, which infected 73 people and left two hospitalised.
The WCED has stressed that any matriculant who becomes infected during exams will only be allowed to complete their schooling next year.
For the 2020 matriculants whose schools are not hosting a matric ball this year……This invitation is for you.?
Posted by Yolanda George on Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Picture: Pixabay
