Re-opening of schools suspended in Vhembe and Mopani

The Limpopo Department of Education has issued a notice advising schools in the Vhembe and Mopani Districts to exercise caution and refrain from re-opening schools this week due to severe weather conditions. Schools in the province are set to re-open for the 2026 academic year on Wednesday, 14 January 2026.

Several bridges are either overflowing or have been swept away within the Mopani and Vhembe areas, with reports of cars being washed off and people stranded, unable to cross flooded waterways.

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Subsequently, most Schools in the four districts under Vhembe and Mopani are inaccessible for both teachers and learners.  Meanwhile, the South African Weather Services issued a level 9 warning for Wednesday, a day that coincides with the re-opening of schools.

The department states that the decision is aimed at ensuring the safety of learners and educators within the affected areas.

“The department wishes to inform parents, guardians and teachers in the affected two districts to take caution and not re-open schools this week,” said Media Liaison Officer at the department, Isaac Mahlangu.

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“The department will monitor the affected areas with the assistance of the Disaster teams in the municipalities and give updates on a daily basis. The recent floods have disrupted the delivery of food and will also affect scholar transport for learners who reside far from schools. The department will advise when it is suitable for schooling to resume in the affected areas.

“The severe weather conditions are also a threat to learners, especially children in the early grades. All the other schools that are not affected will resume as planned.”