Extended School Closures in Cape Winelands and Overberg Due to Severe Weather

Recent heavy rainfall has caused extensive road damage and flooding, impacting school transport routes and resulting in numerous school closures.

The Western Cape Education Department has announced an extension of school closures in the Cape Winelands and Overberg districts until Friday, following a meeting with the Provincial Disaster Risk Management (PDRM).

All schools in other districts will reopen tomorrow, including those in Cape Town, the West Coast, and the Eden and Central Karoo Education Districts, unless specific approval for continued closure is granted by the Head of Department.

“This decision is based on the interests of learner and teacher safety in the Overberg and Cape Winelands Education Districts, particularly with regard to travelling to and from schools,” said Western Cape MEC for Education, David Maynier.

Recent heavy rainfall has caused extensive road damage and flooding, impacting school transport routes and resulting in numerous school closures. Many schools have also reported flood damage to their premises.

"We have asked schools in the Overberg and Cape Winelands Education Districts to inform their parents and caregivers of the continued closure tomorrow,” the department stated. These schools are scheduled to reopen on Monday, 15 July 2024, unless communicated otherwise.

As of now, 217 schools across the province have reported damage or disruption due to the severe weather. "Last night’s heavy rains and strong winds unfortunately contributed to this figure. Eighty-six cases are regarded as serious and require immediate attention. Our infrastructure teams are addressing these cases as quickly as possible. I am grateful for their continued commitment in these adverse conditions,” Maynier said.

Maynier also expressed gratitude for the support from school principals and their management teams in implementing the school closures and thanked parents and caregivers for their cooperation. “We do not decide to close schools lightly and have the best interests of our learners and teachers at heart when making these decisions,” he added.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a level 8 warning for disruptive rain, with the Western Cape Government (WCG) stating that the warning remains in effect for heavy rain, flooding, and mudslides, particularly in the Cape Town metro, Drakenstein, and Stellenbosch regions.

Parents can confirm if their school falls under the affected districts by using the ‘Find my School’ search tool at Find My School.