Record Plett Rage figures for 2019

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Plett Rage student festival smashed records this year – and early indications are that next year's event will experience "unprecedented growth".

"As the local destination marketing organisation in Plettenberg Bay, it is part of Plett Tourism's function to not only assist with the facilitation of events such as the Plett Rage but to monitor tourism development in the Bitou area, along the Garden Route, in South Africa generally and internationally to keep abreast of current trends and stay ahead of the ever-changing kaleidoscope that comprises the tourism industry.

"As such, the feedback from Ronen Klugman, a director of Student Rage Events, was that Plett Rage 2019 was the most successful Plett Rage ever, with a flawless performance both organisationally and in keeping the young people safe," said Plett Tourism spokesperson Patty Butterworth.

The tourism entity's chair Bruce Richardson said the students were thrilled with the Plett Rage venues and entertainment on offer. "Every effort was made to ensure Plett remains by far the safest venue for Rage students as a result of detailed coordinated security planning and a great deal of hard work and commitment across the spectrum by those involved," Richardson said.

'Unqualified success'
Butterworth added that the "unqualified success" of Plett Rage 2019 boded well for the future growth of the festival.

"Iinitial indications in terms of accommodation bookings for Rage 2020 are that the numbers seem to be up, way up. Parents are already calling our office because they are struggling to find available accommodation in the most popular areas for student accommodation," Butterworth said.

Butterworth said an added-value product for 2020 will be the launch of the new Rage Travel offering by organisers. "Plett Rage has partnered with local businesses to offer package deals for students to make the Rage experience in Plett even more streamlined and accessible."

She added that Plett Rage security consultants Marius Venter and Richardson, who are both members of the executive committee of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association, work together with all key role players in both the public and private sectors in terms of a comprehensively prepared, documented and executed security plan to keep students safe.

"This includes planning and implementation with the police station commander, Bitou Municipality head of public safety, and a number of private security companies and voluntary associations," Butterworth explained.

Plett Rage 2019 set the stage for massive growth for the next installment in 2020. Photo: Aidan Tobias

'All bases covered'
"All security information and plans of action are distributed to key role players, the motivation being to put all participants in contact with each other so that in the event of a problem, the parties know who to contact and how to contact them. It is a massive exercise involving many aspects including an assessment of the current state of criminality in the town to ensure that all bases are covered. As a result, we have had no serious incidents involving Rage students for the past seven years," Richardson said.

As a bonus for the town, he added, a percentage of the income earned from the event is paid into the Plett Rage Trust which supports beneficiaries within the Bitou area.

A primary focus is to contribute towards keeping visitors safe during Plett Rage, but the trust also makes contributions to a number of charitable and social support organisations in the area.

In the past, donations have been made to the Shepherds, who get students home safely, the Red Frogs, the PBCPA and the community police forum. Other beneficiaries include Masizame Children's Shelter, the Crags Drill Squad youth outreach and the Adopt-a-Swimmer programme together with making a contribution towards the refurbishment of the municipal lifesaving huts.

The official dates for Plett Rage 2020 are 27 November to 4 December. Preregistration will open early January and tickets will be available mid-March 2020.

Plett Rage 2019 set the stage for massive growth for the next instalment in 2020. Photo: Aidan Tobias