Cape Town – Severe storms and floods in KwaZulu-Natal have reportedly caused extensive damage to school infrastructure, affecting 59 schools in 9 out of 12 districts.
The province is grappling with severe weather that has resulted in the loss of 43 lives, with some individuals still missing.
The storm has also damaged Eskom’s networks, leaving several areas without power.
Despite the challenges, the KZN Department of Education is implementing measures to ensure affected schools are ready for the resumption of classes, providing mobile classrooms, mobile ablution facilities, and addressing sanitation needs, The Citizen reported.
“The ultimate responsibility of the department is to ensure the provision of an environment that is conducive for teaching and learning,” said Frazer.
KZN Cogta spokesperson Sboniso Mngadi confirmed that 43 people had died as a result of the floods. He said government has been hard at work responding to various disasters since October last year.
Watch: https://t.co/iYfhOMgfM2 pic.twitter.com/OxJ51lbWbc
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) January 14, 2024
“Given all the measures and interventions stated above, the department of education in KwaZulu-Natal is ready and prepared for the beginning of the 2024 academic year,” the report quoted MEC Mbali Frazer as saying.
Students expected back in schools on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Times Live reported on Sunday that in Ladysmith, three bodies were found in a car on the N11 during flooding.
The car was suspected to be a vehicle that had gone missing from Bergville on December 31.
Another incident involved a person drowning while swimming in Ezakheni township, the report said.
The provincial cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC, Bongi Sithole-Moloi, confirmed the incidents and said that investigations into the missing car are ongoing.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@ArriveAlive
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
