- Heavy rainfall has forced the Mpumalanga Department of Education to suspend classes in Bushbuckridge for two days amid safety concerns.
- Flooded access roads have made it impossible for thousands of learners and teachers to reach schools safely.
- Parents and communities have been urged not to cross flooded rivers or roads as disaster teams monitor conditions.
The Mpumalanga Department of Education has officially suspended classes in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality following a series of emergency safety assessments triggered by relentless heavy rainfall across the province.
The decision comes as large parts of the area continue to experience flooding, leaving critical access routes to schools unsafe and, in some cases, completely impassable.
The suspension was finalised after a high-level meeting between departmental officials, district directors, and circuit managers on Wednesday evening, 14 January 2026. The meeting focused on evaluating the structural safety of school infrastructure and the feasibility of daily commuting as severe storms continue to lash the region.
Flooded roads cut off learners and educators
While the 2026 academic year began without disruption in the Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts, the Bohlabela District, which includes Bushbuckridge, has faced severe logistical challenges.
According to departmental spokesperson Gerald Sambo, persistent downpours have left numerous primary and secondary access roads submerged, cutting off entire communities from nearby schools.
“The department has officially suspended classes in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality for two days, Thursday, 15 January 2026, and Friday, 16 January 2026,” Sambo said. He explained that the conditions on the ground made it impossible to guarantee the safety of learners and educators attempting to travel.
In other parts of Mpumalanga, the situation remains fluid. In the Ehlanzeni District, the department has opted against a blanket closure, instead granting individual school principals the authority to make context-specific decisions based on local conditions.
Principals have been advised to continuously monitor water levels, prioritise the physical safety of staff and learners over attendance, and suspend classes immediately should commuting routes become hazardous.
Department urges public vigilance
The department has also issued a strong appeal to parents and community members, warning that the dangers of flash flooding are often underestimated. “We strongly appeal to everyone not to cross flooded rivers, submerged bridges, or unsafe roads under any circumstances,” Sambo said. “The safety of our children is a shared responsibility.”
Working in coordination with provincial disaster management teams, the Department of Education will continue monitoring weather patterns throughout the weekend.
Further updates on the possible resumption of classes on Monday, 19 January 2026, are expected as conditions evolve and safety assessments are finalised.
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