All Western Cape schools will be closed on Tuesday, 12 May 2026

11 May 2026 – Statement by Minister David Maynier, Minister of Education Western Cape

In the interests of learner and teacher safety, and after extensive consultation with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the South African Weather Service (SAWS), a decision has been taken to close all schools in the Western Cape on Tuesday, 12 May 2026. 

This includes all public ordinary and special schools in the province. Disaster Management and SAWS have made the recommendation based on updated weather projections and current conditions. 

Our default position is always to keep schools open and only close schools in exceptional circumstances, but we are mindful of the severity of the warnings in place. 

We will continuously monitor and evaluate the situation to ensure that schools can reopen as soon as possible, which is currently expected to be on Wednesday, 13 May 2026. 

As of 3h30 on Monday, 11 May 2026, total of 227 schools applied for closure in addition to the closure list issued for the Cape Winelands and Eden and Central Karoo districts. 

A number of schools have also suffered damage due to the storm, which is currently being assessed. 

Thank you to the officials, principals, teachers and parents for the support in implementing school closures. 

And thank you to the first responders, emergency services and disaster management officials who continue to support our schools during the severe weather conditions