The matric dance was a chance for me to make beautiful memories. It’s something I will take with me to University or College. It’s something I can use to remember my friends, my classmates and my school.

At first I was really nervous when I thought about the matric ball. I’ve never worn a formal dress in my life and I was going to ride in a car with a total stranger. All my neighbours would be watching me, and some might even find a way to mock my outfit or car.

But I wasn’t going to let anyone ruin this day for me. And when me and my friends talked about it we got excited about the big day. We wanted to enjoy this day to the fullest and forget the rest of the bad world ever existed. We planned to enter in style, in a grand car like a Lamborghini. We imagined looking through the sunroof and screaming our lungs out. But when one of my friends cancelled and couldn’t attend, we decided to get ready privately and surprise each other on the day.

To prepare for the day, a taxi driver friend took me and my sister to Mfuleni so that I could do my nails. Then I came home and went to the hair salon. I sat there while the lady did my hair. I was nervous because I still had to get everything ready. I didn’t have a car organised, and to make things worse, there was a blackout for two days. We couldn’t even play music, nor could my cake and cupcakes provider bake my things. It was so frustrating.

Then my mother brought my first good news: she found a car, a GTI, and the second bit of good news was that it was free of charge. The day went smoothly after that.

I really enjoyed the evening even though my father was not there to take pictures with me. Everyone else was there: my friends, my family friends, my neighbours – all of them cheering me on when I was heading to the car. I was so looking forward to seeing all my friends and classmates. On the way I made small talk with the driver. I had to switch on Google Maps on his phone because I had forgotten mine.

When I arrived, the place had a sense of peace and quiet, with the crickets making their usual sounds by the lake, which was ever so beautiful with its glowing reflection of the moon and stars. We were surrounded by flowers and plants.

The venue was small but beautiful. I saw my old teacher and my friends who all welcomed me warmly. The teachers sitting there praised the way I looked, natural, no makeup.

There was slow, calm music which played while the learners were still arriving, old school music, just the way I love it. But soon unfortunately the only other sound was our stomachs crying because the starters they gave us were not great at all. Even the rest of the food wasn’t good.

But there was so much fun and dancing. At first, I just sat – I didn’t want to dance. But eventually I lifted myself up and enjoyed the night because I realised that I paid to be here and I deserved to have some fun. Most of the girls took off their heels.
Soon the teachers stood up and joined us; the way they danced cracked me up.

I really enjoyed the night with my classmates; we even took a class family photo, which was so sweet. Even now, at home, I feel like a celebrity because people still tell me I looked beautiful, and that means a lot to me because I never get praised like that. My picture was even posted on Facebook, and people wrote things like “She is naturally beautiful” because I had no makeup. Most of the girls wore thick, expensive makeup, whereas I went simple and elegant yet naturally beautiful.

It was a night I will never forget.

Tell us: what memories do you have of your matric ball, if you had one? OR if you are still at school, what are your hopes for your matric ball?