- The WCED has extended school closures in Cape Winelands and Overberg districts until Friday, 12 July 2024.
- Schools in Cape Town metro, West Coast, and Eden and Central Karoo districts will reopen unless specific approvals for closure are granted.
- The decision is based on safety concerns due to extensive rainfall and flooding.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has extended school closures in the Cape Winelands and Overberg districts until Friday, 12 July 2024, due to severe weather conditions.
WCED confirms schools will remain closed in these areas
In a statement, provincial education minister David Maynier explained this decision follows a meeting with the Provincial Disaster Risk Management Centre, taking into account the safety of learners and teachers.
Towns in the Cape Winelands district, such as Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington, Worcester, and Robertson, along with areas in the Overberg district, including Hermanus, Caledon, Bredasdorp, and Swellendam, will be affected.
The closure is due to extensive rainfall that has caused widespread road damage and flooding, impacting school transport routes and making travel hazardous.
Additionally, a number of schools in these districts have reported significant flood damage to their premises. Schools in the affected areas are to inform parents and caregivers of the continued closure.
These schools are expected to reopen on Monday, 15 July 2024, unless further communication indicates otherwise.
All other schools in the Cape Town metro, West Coast, and Eden and Central Karoo districts will reopen tomorrow, unless they have received specific approval from the Head of Department to remain closed.
Cape Town weather warnings for Friday, 12 July 2024
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued multiple warnings for the Western Cape, contributing to the decision to extend school closures.
A Yellow Level 4 Warning for Damaging Winds is in effect for the southern parts of the Namakwa District Municipality in the Northern Cape, as well as the City of Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Overberg, Central Karoo, and western parts of the Garden Route District Municipalities.
These strong winds pose a risk to structures and make travel conditions hazardous.
Additionally, a Yellow Level 4 Warning for Disruptive Rain has been issued, with localised flooding expected in the City of Cape Town, Swartland, Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, and Theewaterskloof municipalities.
This flooding could affect roads and settlements, further complicating travel and safety for students and school staff.
The advisories highlight a series of significant cold fronts expected to impact the Western and Northern Cape until Sunday, bringing intermittent heavy rainfall, snowfalls, very cold conditions, strong coastal and interior winds, and very rough seas.
These weather conditions are anticipated to exacerbate the existing challenges and disruptions.
Minister Maynier noted that 217 schools across the province have now reported some form of damage to their infrastructure or disruption due to the weather, with 86 cases regarded as serious and requiring urgent attention.
