President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement during a nationwide address on Thursday, saying the decision was necessary in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“In a bid to limit the spread of deadly disease in the country, public schools will be shut down for a month.
“Cabinet has decided today that all public schools should take a break for the next four weeks,” he said.
He added that the academic year due to end in December would now be extended
“Public Schools will therefore be closed from 27 July and scheduled to reopen on August 24,” Ramaphosa announced.
So far, South Africa has recorded more than 6,000 COVID-19 related death cases since the outbreak of the pandemic.
The African country is now rated fifth with the highest case of the novel virus in the world
