PAARL – A scorching heatwave has had the Western Cape and parts of the Northern Cape in a choke hold this week with temperatures reaching close to 50°C if not more.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a warning on Sunday (8 March) that it will be felt from Monday (9 March) until Friday (13 March).
“The heat wave conditions are anticipated due to the presence of a strong, slow-moving high-pressure system in the upper levels of the atmosphere,” it stated. “The air in upper-air high pressure systems sinks and warms as it descends, leading to higher temperatures at the surface. The system will be accompanied by offshore wind flow along the western coastline of South Africa.”
High temperatures
SAWS said people could expect temperatures as high as 42°C, although in Paarl 47°C was recorded on Wednesday (11 March). The national weather service advised people to keep outdoor activities at a limit especially from 12:00 to 15:00, which is considered the hottest period during the day.
In the meantime the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) have asked all schools to exercise heightened caution to ensure the safety and well-being of learners and staff, said Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson for the department.
“While there is no specific policy prescribing exact temperature thresholds we advise, as a guideline, that schools limit or avoid outdoor activities when temperatures are extreme. Activities conducted in direct sunlight should be kept to a minimum.
“We have asked schools to ensure learners are encouraged to apply sunscreen, wear hats or caps and remain well-hydrated throughout the school day.”
How schools handle the heatwave
NovaNews has reached out to a few schools within Western Cape areas where the heat was extremely felt and experienced.
Kayamandi Primary in Stellenbosch said the school is being dismissed earlier than usual. All other activities have been cancelled. Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr in Ceres says their learners can ease into lessons with aircons in the classrooms. The learners also bring water to keep hydrated, although sport activities continue with a shortened time. When the temperature becomes excessive the sport is suspended.
In Kuils River at Laerskool Mikro sport activities have also been halted. They monitor the temperature from day to day and based on that activities either continue or cancelled. Bernadino Heights Secondary in Kraaifontein says this week they’re dismissing school earlier than usual, while also cancelling all sport activities.
For years Worcester and Paarl are known for extreme heat conditions with people often joking that it is much closer to the sun.
Asked about how it was handling the heatwave Worcester-Noord Primary said it was privileged to have aircons in some of their classrooms. Meanwhile the school was functioning as normal, even though school sport has been cancelled. It is standard procedure for the school to cancel all activities when temperatures reach 38°C or higher. Parents are informed of this through the school communication app, D6, and announcements are also made via classroom intercoms.
At Charleston Hill Secondary sport has been cancelled, but lessons continue as usual. “We received a directive from the department that school education must be protected,” added the school’s principal Henry Fillies.
SAWS continued to encourage people to follow precautionary measures, such as staying hydrated and spending time in the shade or well-ventilated areas as much as possible.
