Just a month after a devastating tornado swept through some parts of KwaZulu-Natal, most schools are set to reopen after the winter break, with the Department of Education providing mobile classrooms to schools where repairs are still being carried out.
The tornado in KZN left a trail of destruction, uprooting trees, claiming 12 lives and leaving more 7 000 households affected in the province, with damage estimated at more than R1.3 billion.
OThongathi was the worst hit, with eight lives lost and more than 3 100 homes completely destroyed.
More than 20 schools in KZN were affected, with Seatides Combined School and Sandfields Primary School in oThongathi suffering the worst destruction.
KZN Department of Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said that the Grade 10, 11 and 12 pupils of Seatides Combined School were moved to Anton Lembede school to continue with their mid-year examinations.
He had previously said that 56 mobile classrooms would be needed to assist the severely affected schools.
“The head of department is at oThongathi inspecting the state of readiness with regards to the schools that were destroyed by the tornado, but (today) the MEC and HOD with other senior management will visit the area of oThongathi. Our senior management will be deployed throughout the province to observe the start of the third term,” said Mahlambi.
Zamajobe Sithole, a Grade 12 pupil, said that she was feeling optimistic about schools reopening and was hoping for the best.
“When we closed last term, things were not looking good because of the tornado. I am also anxious about my results and those of my peers.
“I am unfortunately not confident about my results. During our winter classes I did see the results of some of the papers and my marks dropped drastically ... I did not study well for all my papers, except for mathematics, because of the tornado. We had no electricity and I was staying at my friend’s house as our home was destroyed,” said Sithole.
She said her school principal had promised them uniforms as soon as schools reopen.
Sthembiso Moyo, a parent and resident of oThongathi, said he was concerned about his children’s mental health following the tornado.
“We have not received any counselling to deal with trauma, especially our children. This will affect their performance in school. I have also not seen any provision with regards to school uniform and I am concerned as the weather is bad, it is winter and some children do not have a full uniform,” he said.
As the rebuilding process continues, disaster management officials, volunteers, NGOs and NPOs are still on the ground and providing assistance to the community.
The Mercury