PROM PREPS CAN COST YOU E100K

MBABANE - As the glamorous lights of the prom season shine brightly across Eswatini, pupils and parents alike are grappling with the staggering costs associated with this rite of passage.

What was once a simple event has evolved into a lavish celebration, where the price tags associated with outfits, transportation and pampering can leave you breathless. This year, it is not uncommon for preparations for a single prom night to total E100 000 or more, raising serious questions about the financial pressure placed on families and the societal expectations surrounding this momentous occasion. The Times of Eswatini’s entertainment department has covered numerous school proms this season, observing a trend towards extravagance. Although specific amounts were omitted in our previous reports to adhere to principles of equality, the anecdotes shared by pupils reveal an alarming reality.

Stunned

One male student, whose name we will refrain from disclosing, stunned onlookers with his ensemble that included shoes costing E23 000 and a suit that set his family back a staggering E80 000. To arrive in style, this individual also rented four luxury cars, prompting discussions about the lengths some will go to make a statement on their big night. But the story does not end there. At another school, a brother and sister duo disclosed astonishing figures that provided a glimpse into the financial whirlwind of prom preparations. The siblings, with their mother’s consent, shared that their total expenditures for the event had reached an astonishing E260 000.

This included the girl’s dress, which cost E24 000 and featured a unique design with two detachable bottoms to suit her preferences for the evening. They even jetted off to Johannesburg, South Africa, to indulge in two days of pampering before the prom. Noteworthy additions to the girl’s total included a manicure priced at E2 200, a stunning 30-inch weave that cost E7 000 and an additional E500 for installation. Her shoes were tagged at E12 000 and her clutch handbag was purchased for E13 000. Meanwhile, her brother’s prom preparations were no less extravagant. His entire outfit, which included a tailored suit and stylish shoes along with a haircut, came to E63 000. Their total costs also encompassed their flights and accommodations, solidifying their place among the most opulent attendees of the season.

Students

For most students, the stakes are undoubtedly high. The minimum expenditure tallied up from interviews conducted by the reporters at these proms for an entire prom look typically hovers between E20 000 and E30 000. However, when compared to the figures emerging from the current season, these amounts appear modest. The allure of lavish dresses, meticulously styled hair and the grand entrance provided by luxury cars seem to overshadow more budget-friendly alternatives.

This trend towards opulence in prom preparations is not exclusive to Eswatini. Across South Africa, parents and students are grappling with similarly steep costs. A recent article published by a prominent South African lifestyle magazine highlighted that the average cost of prom night for a single student can reach as high as E300 000. The article detailed instances where expenses for extravagant gowns soared to E50 000 and the trending hairstyles often cost around E15 000. Concerns have been raised in the article regarding the impact of these escalating costs on family budgets and the emotional toll on students, who may feel inadequate if they cannot meet these extravagant standards. While some view these lavish preparations as a celebratory phenomenon, many parents express concern about the unsustainable financial pressure being placed on families and the potential impact on children’s perspectives regarding wealth and success.

Memorable

As the dust settles on another season of memorable prom nights, the glamour and glitz stand in stark contrast to the realities many families must navigate. While the photos and memories from these events will no doubt last a lifetime, the financial burdens left in their wake raise questions about the direction prom culture is taking in Eswatini and beyond. In an era where social media amplifies pressures to outdo one another, will the enchantment of prom night soon become a tangled web of debt and disillusionment? For now, as students celebrate their accomplishments on the dance floor, the underlying question remains: how much is too much when it comes to prom night preparations? With costs soaring higher than ever before, it may well be time to rethink what truly matters when it comes to celebrating these significant milestones in life.

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