Education authorities in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape have closed schools in high-risk areas on Wednesday and Thursday due to an intense low-pressure system bringing life-threatening floods and snow. The South African Weather Service issued multiple Orange-level warnings for disruptive rain, thunderstorms and damaging winds. Officials prioritised pupil safety as conditions are forecast to ease only from Friday.
The closures affect specific circuits in the Eden and Central Karoo Education District of the Western Cape, including parts of George, Knysna and Oudtshoorn. Western Cape education MEC David Maynier stated that schools would remain shut on 6 and 7 May after consultation with disaster management and the weather service. He noted the department’s default position is to keep schools open except in exceptional circumstances.
In the Eastern Cape, classes were suspended in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, Kouga, Kou-Kamma and Sundays River Valley. Head of department Sharon Maasdorp urged school teams and parents to focus on safety, with inland areas such as Jamestown and Senqu placed on high alert for snow.
The South African Weather Service warned of Orange Level 8 rain in the eastern Garden Route and Kouga districts, with further Orange Level 6 alerts for thunderstorms, winds and waves along the coast. Snow is expected in high-lying areas from Wednesday evening, accompanied by a sharp drop in temperatures. Residents were advised to avoid flooded roads and coastal activities until conditions improve.
