Matric dances have become big business as parents fork out thousands of rands to make the event memorable for their children, and industries such as the car rental sector are capitalizing on this.
Car rental companies such as Avis offer professional chauffeur packages for matriculants, with costs starting from R13,730 for the service. However, this fee can double depending on your preferences.
For many Grade 12 pupils, the matric dance is more than just a school-leaving event; it’s an opportunity to step into the spotlight and bid a stylish farewell to high school.
The matric dance
The matric dance is a formal event influenced by Western-style proms. What was once a simple evening of formal wear and dancing has now evolved into a full-scale production.
They often entail extravagant dresses, custom suits, designer shoes, expert makeup artists and photographers, and luxury car arrivals.
However, these demands are accompanied by escalating prices that parents must pay for their children to participate.
A poll conducted by News24 at the end of 2024 revealed that the average parent spent over R10,000 on their children’s matric dance requirements.
Some parents spent over R45,000, while one parent withdrew the maximum R30,000 from her two-pot retirement fund to pay for her daughter’s matric dance.
Financial Pain for some parents
Despite the financial pain for some parents, this type of spending has become a notable opportunity for certain businesses in South Africa.
These dances generate so much potential for revenue that a Matric Expo was held at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre from 28 February to 2 March 2025.
The expo featured over 60 exhibitors, ranging from photographers and tailors to event planners, makeup artists, and hairstylists.
Arrivals are a significant part of any matric dance, and hiring luxury cars such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Range Rover, and even Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini has become a trend.
Parents can spend thousands on renting these vehicles if they don’t already own one, and some rental companies are capitalizing on this trend, including Avis.
Read More: 10 of the best-selling cars and brands in South Africa right now.
Professional chauffeur packages for matric dances
Avis Rent a Car South Africa, better known as Avis, is a South African car rental company headquartered in Kempton Park, Gauteng.
Avis announced last year that it would offer its Luxury Car and Chauffeur Drive for matric dances.
The rental company offers this service nationwide, with main branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Bloemfontein.
“Imagine being the proud parents dropping off their matriculant and date at the dance entrance in a Mercedes-Benz AMG G-Class,” said Avis.
Avis Chauffeur Drive
“And if you want them to feel like a celebrity for the night, consider booking with Avis Chauffeur Drive.”
The rental company added that its professional chauffeurs provide the red-carpet treatment. They have also received basic first aid, basic firefighting, and advanced driver training.
According to Avis, the cost of hiring a chauffeur for a matric dance varies widely based on the type of car and the duration of service.
Prices range from R800 per hour to R31,510 for a whole 24 hours, depending on the car you choose to rent.
Considering this, BusinessTech looked at what was on offer for a maximum of nine hours, which should give you enough time from 16h00 pre-drinks to the end of the after-party at midnight, 24h00.
With this parameter, the costs can range from R4,065 for a Toyota Corolla Quest to R13,730 for an Audi RSQ8 Quattro, BMW M3 Competition, BMW X7, or a Range Rover Sport D350.
If these cars aren’t your style, the Avis Chauffeur Drive service for matric dances offers 26 other cars from seven luxury brands.
For worried parents, Avis adds that all vehicles are monitored in real time, with real-time positioning, speed, and route deviation.
Audi RSQ8 Quattro
BMW M3 Competition M xDrive
BMW X7 xDrive 40d
Range Rover Sport D350
Read More: Best look at BMW’s 5-star, circular headquarters in South Africa.
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