As the exam season almost comes to an end, the Department of Basic Education has urged learners to refrain from attending and hosting pens-down celebration parties citing these are dangerous. The department explained these celebrations can involve the use of drugs and alcohol, which can lead to incidents such as reckless sexual encounters and loss of lives. 

The department said they are appealing to learners to refrain from this type of behaviour that is going to get them into trouble for all sorts of reasons. "This is another concerning issue that we have seen in the past few years where young people resort to this type of entertainment, which is dangerous and we have seen [exam] results being issued with some learners already dead." The department added, "In 2020, there was a similar case where about 1 200 learners, who had attended these ?pens down' parties got infected with Covid-19. Just a while ago, another family from Mpumalanga had to go to KwaZulu-Natal to try and look for their son who had gone to a pens down party without the parent's consent and we don't think they have been able to locate him to today, "read the statement.

The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB), which has been advocating for no pens-down parties says they were concerned about posters and social media posts advertising the parties. The ECLB launched an Anti-Pens-Down campaign to stop the traditional practice in June following the deaths of 21 young people at Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park, East London last year. ECLB CEO Dr Nombuyiselo Makala issued a warning to liquor traders to refrain from hosting these parties in their establishments adding that immediate action would be taken against any trader who allows this to happen. "We wish to send a stern warning to our learners never to organise the pens-down parties to avoid eventualities similar to the Enyobeni Tavern incident. Our liquor inspectors, working with SAPS, will be closely monitoring liquor outlets that might be used for the pens-down parties," said Makala. She encouraged young people to look for other means of celebrating the end of examinations, without indulging in alcohol.

In a twist of events two days ago the Economic Freedom Fighters member of parliament Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said the party will be hosting pens down parties around Gauteng. They called the celebrations "voter celebrations bash." He announced on X :" Pens Down for Gauteng Matric students and other youth. No ID, no entry. It's the EFF Youth Voter Registration Bash. Date: 9 December! All on the same day, same time, in 5 different venues. Free transport for all who RSVP with the EFF branch in your hood. Let's go!." The different venues include Zoo Lake, Gillooly's Farm, Fountains Valley, Dick Fourie Stadium and Coronation Park, the parties are all taking part on the same day," the poster said. The move by the red berets was criticised by many on social media who called it a desperate move to lure voters for next year's general election. "Instead of using the money, you are you are hiring these artists. Help these students with university registration fees next year," one social media user criticised the party.