Are Cape Schools Open Tomorrow?
UPDATE WEDNESDAY 10th JULY - WCED SCHOOLS TO CLOSE ON THURSDAY - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Monday 8th July
The Western Cape Education Department has issued an official statement in response to many rumours circulating regarding the reopening of schools for the third term on Tuesday the 9th of July, and specifically the storm that is expected on the same day.
Videos have been spread on social media of scenes of snow causing problems on the roads near Stellenbosch's Helshoogte pass, and the strong winds blowing water from waterfalls back up the mountain near Paarl.
No, Cape School Holidays Are Not Extended
However despite the next front expected to make landfall in Cape Town at around 7am on Tuesday, just as learners will be traveling to school, all schools will reopen on Tuesday 9th July 2024.
"The WCED has consulted with the South African Weather Services and Provincial Disaster Management Committee and can confirm that all schools are to officially open. Requests for closure, due to inaccessibility of roads, may be considered for individual schools pending damages incurred overnight by heavy rainfall."
The public are urged to ignore the fake graphics that were being spread on social media earlier today.
The Education Department did go on to confirm that a number of schools were damaged when the first storm front reached the Cape over the weekend.
"29 schools have reported damages as a result of heavy winds and rainfall. The majority of the reports are leaks in roofs or minor flooding. Three schools have reported more serious damages after roof sheets were blown off with strong wind gusts in the West Coast region. The WCED is assessing these damages and are in contact with the schools to determine their needs and arrangements for continued teaching and learning.
While the weather conditions will improve for the reopening of schools, particularly the wind conditions, it is envisaged that it will still be a dark and wet start to the school term. Rain coats, umbrellas and reflective gear is encouraged, and even possible change of clothes. Parents and learners are to please exercise caution on the roads".
Previous Weather Reports in the Cape
Update: 8th April 2024
The Western Cape Education Department has announced that some schools will remain closed on Tuesday 9th April.
The affected schools will be those in the Cape Winelands and Overberg Districts. Schools in Helderberg will be open.
The WCED announced earlier in the day that 29 schools had suffered extensive damage in the storm.
Cape Storm Closes Schools
The Western Cape Government has announced on Sunday afternoon that schools will be closed on Monday in some inland areas that are expected to be most severely impacted by the incoming storm.
The SA Weather Service announced a Level 9 storm warning because of a cut-off low which was expected to bring gale-force winds and is expected to cause major damage. Previous storms of this type have caused mud-slides, rock falls and other damage.
Schools will be closed on Monday 8th April 2024 in the districts of Overberg, Cape Winelands and Helderberg (Somerset) according to an official message from the Premier, Alan Winde.
This means that at the moment schools in the City of Cape Town will be open.
This announcement only covers schools so does not at this stage impact TVET Colleges or universities.
However Boland College, which is a TVET College based in Stellenbosch which also has a campus in Wellington, will not hold in-person lectures on Monday.
In a statement on Sunday evening Principal Charles Goodwin announced "Boland College will also not be having face-to-face lectures on 8 April and will rely on remote learning and self-study for the day due to the risk of travel in severe weather".
The premier stressed that the province's emergency services are on standby ahead of the storm.
At the moment this is only for public/government schools but Winde added to the statement that his office is currently communicating with private schools in these areas.
Storm Damages Somerset Mall
Early reports of damage from the oncoming storm include the Somerset Mall shopping centre which was damaged when roofing sheets were ripped off the building by the high winds.
Fire has also been a problem with the historic Blaauwklippen homestead gutted by a fire overnight. A fire also broke out at the Kayamandi causing damage to informal housing in the area, which is just outside Stellenbosch.
A vegetation fire in the Glencairn area of the southern peninsula also took a turn for the worst as strong winds fanned the flames and lead to the destruction of a number of private residences and a large guest house. Latest reports are that 12 houses have been either damaged or destroyed by the fire. The City of Cape Town reports that there are 26 fire fighting vehicles and more than 100 fire fighters on the scene.
In another reaction to the oncoming storm, Disaster Management have declared that fans will not be able to attend the match between Cape Town City FC and Amazulu which is to be played at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Developing Story.
