Severe Weather Forces Two-Day School Closures in Western Cape's Eden and Central Karoo District
The closures follow forecasts of heavy rain and flooding, and officials expect all schools to reopen on Friday.
- Western Cape Education Minister David Maynier announced that around 125 schools in the Eden and Central Karoo districts closed from Wednesday, May 6, to Thursday, May 7, due to severe weather warnings.
- The South African Weather Service issued a yellow level 2 warning for a cut-off low pressure system bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds, and hazardous conditions to the province.
- Forecasting between 150mm and 200mm of rain for the Garden Route, authorities closed schools in circuits 3 and 8 in George, circuit 4 in Knysna, and circuits 5 and 6 in Oudtshoorn.
- Garden Route Mayor Marais Kruger encouraged residents to "please stay home" as winds intensified, while officials reported road closures including the N2 along Brenton on Sea.
- Schools are expected to reopen on Friday, May 8, as the Western Cape Education Department continuously monitors weather developments to determine if further individual closures remain necessary.
10 Articles
10 Articles
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Amidst severe weather conditions that are affecting many in the country, residents in certain areas are attempting to adapt and adjust to the transition into the colder winter season. Following an issued yellow level 2 warning released by the South African Weather Service (Saws), around 125 schools in the Western Cape have closed from Wednesday 6 May 2026, and are expected to return on 8 May 2026. In a separate incident related to severe weather…
Severe weather warnings prompt school closures across Western and Eastern Cape
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FULL list of schools closed along Garden Route due to severe rainfull
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has announced the closure of schools in parts of the Eden and Central Karoo Education District due to severe weather conditions expected this week. Western Cape Education Minister David Maynier confirmed that schools in affected areas will be closed on Wednesday, 6 May and Thursday, 7 May, following consultations with disaster management authorities and the South African Weather Service (SAWS). Precau…
Western Cape closes schools in Karoo and Eden as heavy rain is forecast
The Western Cape Education Department confirmed that several schools will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday after severe rainfall warnings, as a powerful weather system moves across the province.
Schools in parts of Eden and Central Karoo Education District close due to severe storms
In the interests of learner and teacher safety, and after extensive consultation with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the South African Weather Service (SAWS), a decision has been taken to close schools in certain areas of the Eden and Central Karoo Education District on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, and Thursday, 7 May 2026. All public ordinary and special needs schools in the following specific circuits will be closed on Wednesday, 6 Ma…
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