Schools closed across Western Cape due to level 9 storm

Western Cape

Cape Town — Many schools across the Western Cape have closed on Monday 8 April due to the “Cape of Storms” across the province, after the South African Weather Services (SAWS) issued a level 9 weather warning across the province.

Western Cape MEC for Education, David Maynier, announced that all schools in the Cape Winelands, Overberg and Helderberg areas have been closed following the announcement by SAWS, stating that the decision was not made lightly, a department statement said.

“Schools in the Cape Winelands and Overberg education districts, as well as the Helderberg basin area, will be closed on Monday, 8 April 2024, as a result of the severe storm warnings for these areas,” he said.

“We have not taken the decision to close these schools lightly: we have done so out of an abundance of caution to protect our learners and school staff. It’s always better to be safe than sorry,” he added.

Maynier also revealed that multiple schools across the province have reported damage to infrastructure due to the high winds, adding that the department is currently assessing the damage.


Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, said the department made the decision to ensure learner safety and that affected schools would communicate with the department over closures on a day-to-day basis, IOL reported.

“Our message to residents and visitors to the province is that we know that there is severe weather already impacting us. We have mobilised all of our resources to be on standby to respond where needed and we appeal to you to not take unnecessary risks and listen to the instructions of law enforcement and traffic authorities,” Winde said.

The Citizen reported that disaster management teams have been on high alert and monitoring both the Cape Winelands and Overberg, the two areas expected to be most affected. Reports suggested winds up to 150km/h have caused destruction to areas, while the Steellenbosch airfield reported winds up to 303km/h.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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