Teens & Tweens are Flocking to Music Fests. Are they Safe?
The duo behind mega successful outdoor music events such as the Litchi Party and the more recently launched Biosphere Music Festival at the Bells Bass Dam have been managing enormous public parties since 2010. As the popularity of such festivals expand into the younger tween market, ShowMe asks them – are these kids safe?
Ayanda and Andile Ngidi are twin brothers with keen business acumen. At 26 years old, the pair have built a solid reputation for managing some of the most popular music events in the Durban and Ballito areas. They are now expanding in to the Cape and Gauteng markets with an ever increasing line-up of international acts too.
Matriculating from Glenwood High School, they found their niche in creating memorable parties for youngsters and have simply grown, year on year with their success formula.
“We built a solid reputation hosting matric after parties with New School Productions,” says Andile, “as we saw the need for the kind of event 24 year olds and younger would enjoy, we started out with smaller outdoor events but are now in a position to hold just a few events through the year but catering to a much bigger audience.”
“Our first Litchi Party in 2010 we had 800 people. At Litchi Party 2014 we had over 10 000 despite the rain!” Ayanda admits.
Grom Events is their brand catering to the under 18 market with an avid following from youngsters between 12 and 16. The popularity of Grom parties held at The Wavehouse at Gateway has spurned a flurry of similar events in and around Durban.
“The youngsters are desperate to experience the kind of ‘club’ event older teens go to,’ says Andile. “We have stayed away from that so far – we believe there is time enough later in life to go clubbing. We try to create events that are more about the music these kids enjoy.”
Recent ‘Under 18’ events in Durban held at Millionaires Club and XS in Umhlanga were arranged by other organizers.
One Durban under 18 event was arranged by a grade 10 pupil who sold many more tickets than the venue could allow. This left many youngsters outside with a R 100 ticket paid for but without entrance to the venue.
“Some parents call us before an event to check what the security arrangements are. We like to work closely with Durban North/ uMhlanga Crisis Team who are available to help kids.” Andile continues. “Our company has a Christian ethos and for us it’s about giving kids a clean, fun experience in a safe setting. Educated and Empowered Youth is a program we are looking to take in to schools in the future. We want these kids to make better life choices from an early age.”
The reality for parents is that young children are going in to an environment where alcohol consumption and drug use is a very real threat. Andile has the following to advise a parent before allowing a child to attend an under 18 public party.
Vital Pointers for Parents
- Excessive money is dangerous. A child does not need more than R 100 or R 150 to spend at such an event. More than this opens the door to temptation.
- Make sure you drop the child at the entrance and watch they go in. A grade 9 pupil from Ballito was rushed to hospital with alcohol poisoning last year. He and his friend managed to buy a bottle of vodka in lieu of attending an under 18 event.
- Ascertain who is managing the event. Is the organizer reputable and have fair measures been put in place to ensure the safety of the crowd?
- Who is your child going with and who will they go home with? As a parent, it is your duty to know who your child is socializing with. Make sure you have contact details of others in your child’s group and check details with other parents.
Public parties are an ever growing phenomenon reaching younger audiences all the time. Parental guidance and a little street savvy more essential now than ever before.
Events and Entertainment Calendar in Ballito | More about Umhlanga |