Severe floods force closure of 500 Limpopo schools

Zuko Komisa

Nearly 500 schools remain shut as floods devastate infrastructure across three major districts.
Destroyed bridges and submerged roads have prevented over 40% of staff and pupils from reaching classrooms in certain areas.
The Department of Education is conducting province-wide assessments to determine when learning can safely resume.

Severe flooding and infrastructure collapse have prevented nearly 500 schools from opening across Limpopo, the provincial Department of Education confirmed on Wednesday.

Torrential rains have submerged roads and destroyed bridges, cutting off access for thousands of staff and pupils.

The districts of Mopani, Vhembe, and Sekhukhune are the worst affected, with Vhembe East and West alone reporting over 330 closures due to impassable routes.

Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, who visited flood-hit schools in Tzaneen on Tuesday, emphasised that while the curriculum remains a priority, “the safety of pupils comes first.”