As thousands of matriculants across South Africa prepare to celebrate the end of their school careers, Fidelity Services Group is urging young people to embrace independence responsibly and stay safe — both online and offline.

Matric Rage 2025 events, from the KwaZulu-Natal coastline to Plettenberg Bay, are a rite of passage. But with freedom comes risk: road accidents, theft, and drink-related incidents remain serious concerns. highlighting the need for proactive safety planning.

“We know this is an exciting moment for matrics, they’ve earned it,” says Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity Services Group. “But our experience shows that planning ahead, staying aware, and using available safety technology can make the difference between a memorable celebration and a dangerous situation.”

Celebrate smart: Key tips for Matrics

• Plan your freedom. Know where you’re going, who you’re with, and how you’ll get home. Share your plans and live location with a trusted contact.
• Leverage technology. If you’re driving, install a real-time tracking app such as Fidelity SecureDrive, which updates your location every two seconds. This enables real-time accident alerts and faster emergency dispatch, where every second counts.
• Carry a panic button. Devices like SecureMe and SecureMe Plus provide fast, reliable protection monitored from a 24-hour control room, allowing you to send instant alerts in an emergency. Compact and easy to carry, they go wherever you go.
• Stay alert in crowds. Keep an eye on your friends and belongings. If something feels off — suspicious behaviour, an unattended drink, or unusual circumstances — alert security or the police immediately
• Travel responsibly. Never walk alone or accept lifts from strangers. Use official event shuttles, taxis, or assign a sober designated driver. Fidelity’s festive-season data shows that organised transport significantly reduces risk for young travellers
• Protect your digital footprint. Think carefully before posting your location or tagging friends at venues. Social media exposure can inadvertently put you at risk.
• Do not accept drinks from strangers and do not leave your drinks unattended. Spiking of drinks is still rife.
• If you leave the place where you are staying tell someone where you are going and the time you expect to return. Save their number to your mobile phone or memorise the details of the person to be contacted in the event of an emergency and save them as one of your ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts.

External data underscores the importance of vigilance: road accidents remain the leading cause of death among South African youth, with young people accounting for roughly 40 % of road fatalities in recent years. Drink-spiking remains a serious, though under-reported, threat at social gatherings.

Hattingh also urges parents and caregivers to have open, supportive conversations with their children.

“Young people today are tech-savvy, which can be a real safety advantage,” she says. “Apps, location sharing, and group chats can all serve as lifelines if something goes wrong, the key is to plan before the trip.”

With Fidelity’s nationwide network of control centres and response teams on high alert, the company is committed to keeping South Africans safe during the festive season.

“Our goal is for every matriculant to return home with great memories, not cautionary tales,” concludes Hattingh. “Freedom and safety can absolutely go hand in hand, it just takes awareness, planning, and smart decisions.”