Munier remembers very little of his matric ball night.
It wasn’t very memorable at all; OK, it was also a long time ago too, in the 90s.
His farewell was held at the Wittebome Civic in Wynberg.
Not very larney, it’s true. Then nor was his chauffeur for the evening - his eggende bra Salie in his taanie’s blue Ford Escort.
To be honest, Munier didn’t care for the occasion - the glitz, glamour and red carpet entrance - that wasn’t for him.
And he couldn’t wait for the “under the sea” themed ball to be over, so he could pack away his rented black tuxedo and go skut with his matric brasse.
Look, back then, matric balls weren’t the big deal they are today.
Now it’s: dressmakers, shoes, make-up, hair and nails for the girls.
Tailor-made suits, sneakers and Cristiano Ronaldo haircuts for the boys.
Then there’s decor and catering for the tafel, photography and luxury car rental.
Add to this the shopping list for the after-party and parents can end up forking out up to R20 000.
BIG PLANS: Nikita Coulsen, 18
High schools also take the Grade 12 balls very seriously, and will plan fundraisers at the beginning of the year already, so they can book out exclusive hotels, plush wine estates and classy townhalls.
Now, it’s true you only matriculate once, but yoh!
Munier hates to be a killjoy, but this obsession with matric ball materialism is not a good thing.
Especially if:
Firstly, families can’t afford it and they plunge their households into debt for one night of extravagance;
Secondly, the laaities are so consumed by their big night that it affects their studies - and distracts from their final exams;
Thirdly, the family has no financial plans for university or college registration and fees. That R20 000 can pay for a year’s tuition.
Fourthly, the youngsters can be very competitive and nasty about matric balls and fall prey to peer pressure and bullying.
Sjoe, It’s not easy being a matriculant - or parents of one - these days.
But one group of girls of who aced this test are the young ladies from Courtney & Co.
SELF-FUNDED: Courtney Johnson paid R20 000 out of her own wallet.
The teen hairdressers from Delft had their dream matric ball - each splashing out R20 000 - out of their own pockets.
You see, Courtney Johnson and Nikita Coulsen, both 18, had big plans.
They started their beauty business for this very reason - to pay for their own
matric farewells and to finance their studies next year.
Lekker uitgesort, ne? That’s how you do it.
Congratulations ladies, good luck for the final exams and all the best for your future.
A special shout-out also to local businessmen Fawwaz Mowlana and Rodger Abrahams.
The guys from AllWheels.co.za and other Cape Flats businesses started an initiative where they arrange matric balls for deserving pupils free of charge.
SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT: Fawwaz Mowlana and Rodger Abrahams offering free matric balls
Together with Thorp Plumstead, LucidEye Photography and Autozone Eisleben, they sponsor the balls and supply youngsters with everything they need on the day.
Nice one, guys.