Some families spend R30,000 or more on a matric dance. Others cannot even afford the ticket. One local NPO director believes there’s a kinder way forward – one that keeps the magic of the occasion while making sure more learners get to be part of it.
South Africa (22 September 2026) – Sherri Bailey-Bell is the director of Dress It Forward, a local NPO that collects pre-loved dresses and suits and gives them to students in South Africa who would otherwise not have anything to wear to their matric dance.
This has been Sherri’s mission for fifteen years – helping more children attend their matric dances while easing the financial burden on families who simply cannot afford the costs that come with them.
She knows that these school dances are special occasions that only happen once – at most twice, when you’re a plus-one – in a learner’s life. Every child should have the opportunity to attend their own graduating ball.
This week, Sherri spoke up about something incredibly important.
The costs of sending a child to a matric dance seem to climb each year. For many South African families – especially those living in economically disadvantaged communities – it is simply no longer affordable.
“When a school is in an economically disadvantaged community, and only 30% of its Matrics can attend the dance, we have to ask some serious questions.” Sherri writes on Facebook.
“Why are we charging R1,000 per ticket and choosing expensive, high-end venues when so many learners are being excluded?
If 95% of your Matrics can comfortably afford the ticket and associated costs, that’s one thing. But if they can’t, surely it’s time to choose a more affordable option and fundraise to assist the remaining 5%.”
The ticket is only the first rung on the ladder. Then there are all the expectations that have come to seem ‘normal.’
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Sherri notes that these costs can quickly add up to R30,000 or more – an expense that some parents even go into debt to cover. The disparity is real – especially given the fact that some parents cannot even afford to buy the ticket, let alone all the rest.
“And despite all this spending, a portion of the class is still unable to attend. That is deeply troubling.”
Sherri is also quick to note that this does not mean matric dances should be abolished – not at all.
Every child deserves that special celebration as they close the chapter on school and start a new one. It is a massive milestone in our younger years and one that deserves to be celebrated.
“Let’s be clear: Every Matric deserves the opportunity to celebrate, dress up, have fun and create wonderful memories with their classmates. This is an important milestone, and nobody wants to take that away.”
Perhaps Sherri’s message is a cue for schools, governing bodies and parents to take a step back, reassess and find a way to make matric dances inclusive, realistic and financially responsible again.
“A Matric Dance should not become a competition of wealth, social standing or parental sacrifice. It should not leave families struggling financially or learners feeling excluded because they cannot afford the price of admission.”
“To schools, SGBs and parents: Please take a step back and reassess. Choose venues and arrangements that the vast majority of your Matrics can afford. Keep expectations under control. Fundraise where necessary. And remember what this event is actually about: celebrating your children, not showcasing what their parents can spend.”
We back this message. Every year, we see more cases of parents reaching out for help because they simply cannot afford to send their children to their matric dance. If there were a way to ease that financial burden – why wouldn’t we? If there is room to make a change, why not?
“Let’s give our Matrics a memorable evening without turning it into a financial burden. Enough is enough. Let’s put the children first.” ends Sherri.
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