Teachers Let Loose at Matric Ball: A Night of Surprising Dance Moves
- The Matric Ball allowed teachers to break away from their usual roles and show off their dance moves, surprising students with their unexpected energy and rhythm and stealing the show
- The fun-filled moments were captured and shared on social media, where students and teachers engaged in lighthearted joking
- The event gave students a chance to see their teachers in a more relaxed and relatable light, strengthening the bond between them, and creating a memorable moment
- Briefly News asked educator Nomusa Khumalo about the vital role teachers play in shaping young minds and how they balance care, professionalism, and personal well-being in their work
A content creator uploaded a TikTok video on 02 October 2025 of a Cape Town school Matric dance where teachers joined students on the dance floor, stunning Mzansi.

Source: TikTok
The Matric Ball isn't just an unforgettable event for the students; it's also an opportunity for teachers to unwind and show a different side of themselves after all the hard work they have put in throughout the year.
The Matric Ball is a highly anticipated event in South Africa, marking a huge milestone in the lives of final-year learners. It's an elegant evening where children celebrate the end of their high school journey with friends, family, and teachers. For matrics, it’s a night to remember, filled with formal wear, laughter, and dancing. But it’s not just about the learners; their teachers also play a key role in the celebration.
Main purpose of matric farewell dance
A teacher, @chante_greeff, shared the video where the teachers got a rare chance to unwind, step away from their usual professional roles, and connect with their students in a more relaxed setting. It’s a moment where both students and teachers can share in the joy of this milestone, bridging the gap between the classroom and personal celebrations.
Events like the Matric Ball show the importance of balance in education by giving both learners and teachers a chance to step away from the pressures of academics, offering a break from their routine. While the school year is often filled with deadlines, exams, and responsibilities, events like these provide an opportunity for everyone to unwind and connect on a more personal level.

Source: Getty Images
Briefly News asked educator Nomusa Khumalo about the important role teachers play in shaping learners’ development and how they maintain balance between compassion, professionalism, and self-care. She said:
"A mutual relationship of respect is built, and learners want to thrive to impress you, but they also can be vulnerable enough to fail, break down and grow. Relating to learners as humans first changes the narrative and creates a positive learning environment."
Making memories to treasure in high school
For teachers, it's a reminder that creating relationships beyond the classroom can strengthen their impact on learners. For the children, it allows them to see their educators as more than just authority figures, helping build respect and understanding. In this way, the matric dance not only celebrates the end of a school journey but also nurtures a positive and supportive learning environment that benefits both sides.
yaseen_0274#Mufc❤️ stated:
"Some of us went to school at the wrong time; where were these types of teachers back then?"
Mandy Mariah wrote:
"In my time, my teachers were so old that my matric ball finished at 8 pm because 9 pm is the teacher's bedtime. 😔"
Ambi_Modiba 📚 said:
"What fun teachers these children have!"
Trey commented:
"That's the matric pupils, I just can't prove it."
Dylan-Lee stated:
"I don't understand why is yall the teachers are so young when I was in school, they were all old."

Read also
"Dark and scary": Grade 12 pupil’s dramatic coffin entrance at matric ball sparks mixed reactions
່່່່𝔔𝔲𝔢𝔴𝔦𝔫 ℜ𝔬𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔱𝔰 wrote:
"Today's teachers are fun back in my time we used to get gemoered. 🤣"
Miss Fluffy said:
"What school is this? As a 49-year-old woman, I would like to enrol for matric next year, please. 🤣🤣🤣🤣"
Eureez Pommer commented:
"Mbeki is born to be a groovist forced to be a teacher. 😂🔥🔥"
Watch the TikTok video below:
3 Other Briefly News teacher stories
- A Namibian teacher's unique teaching style, which involved physically demonstrating prepositions by climbing into a dustbin, quickly went viral, with many social media followers admiring the teacher's passion and commitment to his students.
- A Cape Town high school learner pranked their teachers by asking them to sign old pictures of themselves, and the joke showed how humour could break down barriers in education.
- Miss Karabo stood out for her ability to recognise every child's voice in her Grade R class. Parents and peers praised her hands-on approach and genuine dedication to her learners.
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
Divani Coopoosamy (Editor) Divani Coopoosamy is a human interest reporter at Briefly News (joined September 2025). She graduated from Durban University of Technology in 2021. She obtained her Advanced Diploma in Journalism in 2023 at Cape Peninsula. She is currently completing her Honours in Media Studies and Communication. Divani is a journalist with three years of experience in news reporting, feature writing and digital media. She worked at Durban Youth Radio until June 2022 before joining Newskoop. Contact her at divani.coopoosamy@briefly.co.za
Nomusa Khumalo (Educator - Foundation Phase) Nomusa is an educator with experience teaching Grades R–7 in both private and government schools, currently teaching Grade 2 at Parkview Junior. She is also a Life Skills Facilitator, camp counsellor, mentor, ambassador, and board member passionate about inclusive education.

