South Africa’s extravagant matric balls are the ‘Met Gala’ of high school dances | CNN

Before South African high school students complete their final exams, they first walk the red carpet, pulling out all the stops for their celebratory matriculation, or ‘matric,’ balls. The dances may look different from school to school, but they have earned a reputation as mini Met Galas – from Bridgerton-themed dress codes with expensive gowns to grand entrances in classic cars to crowds of onlookers, all to make the biggest first impression for their big night out. For five years, the South African photographer Alice Mann documented these lavish rites of passages; her portraits now in a new book called “The Night is Young,” published by IDEA. In her imagery, all-white banquet rooms are calm before the storm, students in tiaras and shimmering suits pose in front of fairy lights, and dance floors light up with the whirlwind energy of the night. “They’re these massive events. You look forward to it from when you’re in grade eight,” Mann explained in a video call from London, where she splits her time. “There’s a huge sense of anticipation.” Matric balls’ closest kin are American proms, which have become more synonymous with the grand high school dance than

Mar 11, 2026 → Mar 11, 2026