The cost of the matric dance will sometimes be equivalent to that of a second-hand car.
Matric dance season is upon us, and kitting children out can now cost as much as a second-hand car – even if it is an older model. Online car platforms advertise, for example, a ten-year-old Opel Adam 1l turbo for R75 900 – which is less than some people spend on one night out.
The basic requirements for a dance currently span outfits, car rentals, after-parties, beauty treatments, hairdressers, photographers, shoes, dance tickets, jewellery, flowers, and potential after-party accommodation, among other items.
On TikTok, one learner’s detailed breakdown totalled about R28 140, including a nearly R10 000 dress, hair and make-up services of more than R2 000, accessories, transport and accommodation for the night.
Another viral breakdown showed a R35 119 total, with a custom-designed gown at R8 500, heels at about R1 700 and accommodation costing R11 000. Tickets to the dance alone can cost around R2 000, with after-parties adding another few hundred rand.
