Strong and destructive winds that swept through parts of the North West between Friday, 4 September and Saturday, 5 September have damaged roofs and destroyed mobile classrooms at more than 20 schools, the provincial education department said. The incidents further burden an education system already coping with recent fire damage to three schools.
Damage concentrated across four districts
The North West Department of Education reported damage in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Bojanala and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati districts. Some of the worst-affected sites include mainstream primary and secondary schools as well as early learning centres and institutions that rely on temporary structures.
- Dr Kenneth Kaunda District: Pudulogo Primary (Ikageng), Maitemogelo Secondary (Wolmaranstad), Noordwal Primary (Orkney), Tshedimosetso Secondary (Jouberton). Other affected schools include Toevlug Primary (Ventersdorp), Sentlhaga Primary (Wolmaranstad), Laerskool Saamtrek (Klerksdorp), Promosa Primary and Secondary (Potchefstroom), Boitshoko Secondary (Ikageng), Gatelapele Secondary and Tigane Primary (Tigane Township).
- Ngaka Modiri Molema District: Thuto ke Matla Secondary (Groot Marico), Setilo Secondary (Mareetsane Village), Refentse Primary and Serite Early Learning Centre (Ga-Khunwana Village).
- Bojanala District: SG Ntuane Primary (Tlhatlhaganyane Village), Rantlaka Primary (Phalane Village), Nonceba Primary (Welverdiend near Madikwe), Motshabaesi Primary (Obakeng Village near Madikwe).
- Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District: Kokomeng Primary, Walter Letsie Secondary, Raditshipi Primary, Thapama Secondary, Choseng Secondary and Reabetswe Secondary School.
| District | Selected affected schools |
|---|---|
| Dr Kenneth Kaunda | Pudulogo Primary (Ikageng); Maitemogelo Secondary (Wolmaranstad); Promosa Primary & Secondary (Potchefstroom) |
| Ngaka Modiri Molema | Thuto ke Matla Secondary (Groot Marico); Refentse Primary (Delareyville area) |
| Bojanala | SG Ntuane Primary (Tlhatlhaganyane); Nonceba Primary (Welverdiend) |
| Dr R S Mompati | Kokomeng Primary; Walter Letsie Secondary; Raditshipi Primary |
Impact on learners and communities
The department said some learners did not attend class after their mobile classrooms were damaged. At Refentse Secondary School in the Delareyville area, which relies on temporary structures, a number of Grade 8 learners stayed away after Friday night’s gusts. Parents and governing body members described scenes of roofs torn off and displaced across school grounds.
“It happened on Friday at about 19h30 in the evening, while the matric learners were at a matric camp with their teachers and a member of the SGB. The learners were scared, and even us, as parents, are scared. The school is badly damaged. The roofs were blown into the air and displaced everywhere. It was a very hurtful sight to see,” said Basiami Mosiako, chairperson of the school governing body at Refentse.
Education MEC Dr Desbo Mohono expressed alarm at the scale of destruction and has authorised the deployment of infrastructure teams to assess and respond to the damage. The department said it would expand its emergency response to restore teaching and learning where possible and to identify alternative arrangements where classrooms are unusable.
Department response and next steps
The department’s infrastructure teams will catalog damage, prioritise repairs and determine interim learning arrangements. Officials have not provided a consolidated cost estimate; assessments are under way. School governing bodies and district offices have been asked to account for learners displaced by damaged facilities and to report urgent needs.
Practical concerns include safe shelter for learners, replacement of destroyed mobile classrooms, repair of blown roofs and the restoration of basic services such as electricity and water where affected. The winter months and ongoing pressure on maintenance budgets mean delays could extend learning disruption unless rapid funding and logistical support are made available.
What parents and communities should expect
- Districts will receive assessments from infrastructure teams; parents should expect communication from school principals or SGBs about temporary arrangements.
- Where classrooms are unusable, schools may relocate classes to alternative on-site spaces or consolidate timetables while repairs are arranged.
- Parents with concerns about safety or learner attendance should contact their school governing body or the district education office for guidance.
The destruction of multiple classrooms and roofs is another reminder of the vulnerability of school infrastructure in parts of the North West. Restoring safe learning environments will require coordinated action between the provincial department, district offices, school communities and, where needed, the provincial treasury to fund repairs.
Communities will be watching to see how quickly roofs are secured and temporary classrooms replaced ahead of further adverse weather. The department has said it will provide updates as assessments conclude and repair plans are finalised.
