By Charmaine Ndlela

Learners in Mpumalanga’s Bohlabela District will not return to school as planned after the provincial department of education temporarily suspended classes in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality on Thursday and Friday because of heavy rain.

The department held a meeting with district directors and affected circuit managers on Wednesday, after persistent rains in the Bohlabela District significantly affected teaching and learning activities.

Mpumalanga Department of Education spokesperson Jasper Zwane said that while some learners and teachers managed to reach their schools, many struggled due to flooding and inaccessible roads.

Zwane said schools in the Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts continued with a smooth reopening, with no reported disruptions to daily activities.

In the Ehlanzeni District, school principals have been formally empowered to exercise discretion, guided by on-the-ground assessments, to ensure the safety of learners and staff.

Several schools around Masoyi and Hazyview have also temporarily suspended classes, with parents urged not to send children to school as safety risks remain high, including flooded roads, damaged infrastructure, and dangerous river crossings.

The suspension of classes follows a warning issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) on Wednesday, which declared an orange Level 9 weather alert for most parts of eastern Limpopo and Mpumalanga, including areas within the Ehlanzeni District. The district has a long history of flood-related disruptions during peak summer rainfall.

Zwane appealed to community members to remain cautious during the heavy rainfall.

“The department once again urges all community members to remain vigilant and to put safety first. We strongly appeal to everyone not to cross flooded rivers, submerged bridges, or unsafe roads under any circumstances,” he said.

Thousands of pupils across the country returned to classrooms on Wednesday, marking the official start of the 2026 academic year.

INSIDE EDUCATION