Severe weather shuts schools across parts of the province

Several schools in the Western Cape have been forced to close as heavy rain, flooding and unsafe roads disrupt parts of the province. The closures affect areas in the Cape Winelands, Eden and Central Karoo, where worsening weather has made travel too dangerous for learners, teachers and support staff.

The move comes as authorities prioritise safety over normal school operations. In many of the affected communities, especially rural and farming areas, roads have become unstable, flooded or completely impassable. For families, the closures bring both disruption and relief as the province braces for more rough weather.

Flooded roads and rising water levels drive decision

The school closures were confirmed after coordination between the Western Cape Education Department, disaster management teams and the South African Weather Service. Officials said the decision followed assessments of rainfall, flood risks and the growing difficulty of reaching schools safely.

The biggest concern is travel. Overflowing rivers, submerged gravel roads and dangerous mountain routes have made it risky to move through several parts of the province. In these conditions, even routine school transport becomes a hazard.

Areas named among the hardest hit include Worcester, Rawsonville, De Doorns, Ceres, Tulbagh, Wolseley, Touws River, parts of Oudtshoorn, George rural areas, Klaarstroom and surrounding farming communities.

Rural communities take the biggest knock

A number of schools are expected to remain closed on Monday, including Worcester Gimnasium, Worcester Sekondêr, Hexvallei Hoërskool, Charlie Hofmeyr Hoërskool, Tulbagh Hoërskool, Ceres Sekondêr, Wolseley Sekondêr and Touwsrivier Laerskool. Parents in smaller rural communities have been urged to check directly with schools where there is uncertainty.

The disruption is especially hard on farming households, where parents may have to balance work demands with sudden childcare pressures. But the closures also underline how exposed rural communities remain when storms intensify. Damaged roads, isolation and slower emergency access remain familiar problems in these areas.

More rain expected as province waits

Authorities say conditions are not expected to improve immediately. More rain, localised flooding and slippery roads remain a threat, with motorists urged to avoid unnecessary travel, especially through low-lying routes and mountain passes. Emergency services remain on standby while weather conditions are monitored.

For now, schools are expected to reopen on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, if conditions improve. But officials have made it clear that safety comes first, and that timeline could shift if the storms worsen. In a province used to winter weather, this latest closure is another reminder that seasonal storms can still bring daily life to a standstill.