Matric Dance economics: The eye-watering costs parents face in 2026
Some parents on online forums say they’ve spent around R5,000 on clothing, hair, makeup and nails alone in earlier years.
Image: Freepik
What was once a simple end-of-school celebration has evolved into a costly spectacle, with matric students and parents already gearing up to spend from a few thousand rand to over R30,000 on the dance.
From gowns and suits to beauty services, transport and photography, the lists emerging on social media paint a picture of an event with highly variable – but sometimes eye-watering – price tags.
Some schools are holding their dances as early as May, bringing calculators out before the Jannuworry blues have fully faded.
On TikTok, one learner’s detailed breakdown totalled about R28,140, including a nearly R10,000 dress, hair and make-up services of more than R2,000, accessories and transport, and even accommodation for the night.
Another viral breakdown showed a R35,119 total, with a custom-designed gown at R8,500, heels at about R1,700 and accommodation costing R11,000 booked for before-dance preparation and after‑party.
One hairdresser, noting that extensions can run to around R20,000, told IOL that some children’s parents end up spending around R100,000. “Imagine what a wedding would cost for those kids, and then they wear an entirely new outfit to the after-party,” she said.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, at least one learner reported a more modest R3,540 spend by wearing a borrowed dress, doing her own hair and make-up, and declining fancy transport.
Other parents and pupils have posted similar breakdowns online: one learner’s TikTok listed a R14,250 budget, with a R4,000 dress, R700 on nails and toes, and a R1,000 photographer.
Each aspect of the matric dance can run into thousands.
Image: ChatGPT
Last September, @NolwAzi_Tusini posted, “Imagine having a 3k - 4k budget for a matric dance dress and it not being enough? Yoh. I hate Joburg.😭”
In response, @naledimashishi said, “I remember my matric dance dress cost around R3k to buy… I can’t believe that amount won’t even get you a dress anymore.”
Another viral video showed a matric dance budget exceeding R44,000, heavily driven by a R30,000 dress and other accessories.
These varied totals reflect the range of spending choices many matric pupils (or their parents) make.
Outfits alone can range widely: mid-range gowns from local boutiques are often priced between about R1,500 and R4,000, with premium or customised designs exceeding R6,000, and budget alternatives starting below R1,000.
Tips to cut down on the cost of the matric dance.
Image: ChatGPT
Second-hand gowns at a boutique in an exclusive part of Johannesburg’s East Rand were “on special” from R3,000.
Beauty and styling services also vary, with some salons advertising make‑up and hair packages for matric dance from roughly R550 each, though pricier professional packages are commonly more expensive.
Transport can be another major budget line. Specialist matric dance or vintage car hire businesses list classic car packages from about R3,800 for a limited period, rising to R7,300 or more for extended time slots; demand and car type influence final prices.
Matric dresses for sale on a South African website.
Image: Screenshot
Formalwear for young men also carries cost choices: hiring a suit can run several hundred to a couple of thousand rand, while buying a good‑quality suit for future use is often in the R1,200 to R3,000 range, according to social‑media conversations and reported market trends.
Beyond the headline totals are deeper conversations about affordability. Some parents on online forums say they’ve spent around R5,000 on clothing, hair, make-up and nails alone in earlier years, and note that not all pupils can afford even that.
Others describe classmates opting out entirely because the total cost is simply beyond reach.
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