Rage celebrates two decades of matrics partying in Plett
Thousands of school leavers have started flocking to Plett for the annual student festival that kicks off on Friday – YOLANDE STANDER reports
This year is extra special as Plett Rage celebrates its 20th year making it the oldest festival of its kind in South Africa.
Organisers are expecting between 5,000 and 6,000 school leavers to visit Plett to celebrate their new-found freedom during the festival, which runs from November 29 to December 6.
For the third year, the event is being hosted at the outdoor festival grounds dubbed Coco Valley just off the N2. This is where students gather for evening entertainment, while daytime activities take place at what is being called Bikini Beach just off Central Beach.
Festival founder Ronen Klugman said Plett Rage 2019 is set to host some of the biggest names in the SA music industry including Das Kapital, PH Fat Nasty C, Desmond and the Tutus, Shortstraw, Spoegwoif, Francois van Coke, The Kiffness, Jeremy Loops, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Good-luck and Jack Parow.
There will also be a variety of top DJs to ensure the party does not stop.
Klugman said they also spend countless hours working with various role-players to ensure the safety of young festinos. One of the features of the festival is its massive transport system.
“This is our biggest investment. we’ve spent R1.2-million on ensuring a good transport system. We, however, do it with a smile as we want to make the event as safe as possible.”
Klugman said to avoid drinking and driving, transport is provided between central pick-up and dropoff points and the festival grounds for the evening entertainment. No private vehicles will be allowed at the venue. This service is free.
During the day there will be shuttles, at specified rates, for students to get around.
Another feature of the festival is its cashless nature Each student will receive an armband on which they can load money and pay for food, drinks and other items.
“Attached to each armband is the student s profile Should a student get into difficulty, this band can be scanned to bring up the youngster s information.”
Keeping thousands of students safe over the festive period is a mammoth task and therefore a detailed plan has been put in place that involves cooperation between police local law enforcement, local and provincial traffic departments, private security companies and the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association. as well as local neighbourhood watch groups and volunteers.