Marking the end of their schooling journey, thousands of teenagers have flocked to the sun-soaked coasts of KwaZulu-Natal to revel in the annual Rage Festival.
Kicking off yesterday, this highly anticipated eight-day event in Ballito is expected to bring together roughly 4000 participants—many of whom have travelled from Gauteng.
Passports, essential tickets granting access to the vibrant festivities, vary significantly in price. From R1900 for a three-day pass to R5500 for an exclusive Black Passport VIP experience.
The Sound Factory, the festival's primary venue located at the Lawns Ballito near Sugar Rush Park, will serve as the hub of excitement and electrifying dance floors.
Among the local and international artists to perform at the festival are Amy Wiles, Matthew Mole, Lady Zamar, Sun-El Musician, Roger Goode, Connie, Dbn Gogo, Cinimin and Asvante.
Greg Walsh, CEO of G and G Productions, owners of the Rage Festival, said Rage had grown from 2010 to 2017 with 7000 people attending for the week.
"Post the Covid pandemic we have had about 4000 people. Our premium black passport this year sold out in July. That we limit to 800 a year. We are cognisant that it is expensive to attend Rage. Accommodation is triple the price than it was five years ago.
"This year we are excited to have the big mega dome back as a structure to build high energy dance floor production inside. We got a very exciting new stage design inside the mega dome. The one thing we innovate every year is what the main dance floor experience feels like inside the megadome. For the Rage black passport holders is the experience to mingle with the artists backstage. We further developed that experience with a whole VIP zone," said Walsh.
The Rage festival is in its 22nd year.
He said they used to do over the week a maximum four nights at the Sound Factory and would be in some of the local clubs in Ballito and Durban, but they felt they lost a lot of control from a safety perspective.
"We want everyone to have as much fun but in a safe space. If entertainment is high, the energy is right and with the right group of safety officers, medics, volunteers, we have become a low incident environment in the last eight to 10 years," said Walsh.
He added that this year they will run six nights at the Sound Factory, where it's all managed and safe. On Tuesday they will have a pool party at La Montagne in Ballito which will run till 10pm.
"All of our efforts are in Ballito. Previously the events were between Kings Park in Durban, Umhlanga and Ballito," he said.
The festival is expected to have a positive ripple effect on the local economy, particularly in hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors.
Sifiso Zulu, KwaDukuza Municipality director of corporate communications, said: “Hotels are direct partners of this event, leading to a 95% occupancy rate in Ballito and surrounding areas. Many Rage attendees have come with their parents, boosting bookings across the board.”
"Our area will be buzzing with visitors in the entire area of KwaDukuza, (including the coastal areas of Ballito, Salt Rock, Blythedale, Zinkwazi and inland areas), as it is the official start of the holidays. This weekend we are expecting an influx of Ballito Rage attendees who will be staying and enjoying the Ballito Rage events in our area," said Zulu.
He said in the past years the festival benefited both the formal and informal sectors.
"This event has benefited our public transport sector, hospitality industry and retail sector. It has also contributed to the growth of our property sector, which has led to sales transactions being concluded during and after this event.
"The event multiplier effect has gone beyond the event, as we believe that Rage goers will come back in future as tourists and investors in our industry. The event has also contributed to creating new events and tourism products, as its main event infrastructure is going to be used for Ballito Week (KZN Summer Event). This event has also positioned and strengthened Ballito as a brand," he said.
Zulu said the KwaDukuza Municipal Council, at its meeting this week adopted an integrated festive season security plan.
"The plan has been developed in conjunction with our strategic private sector partners, namely security companies, emergency services, car dealerships and SAPS. This plan is expected to ensure safety and security of our communities and visitors," he said.