What’s worse than a power cut on exam day? Trying to get to school through flooded streets. 

Only two days into matric final exams, 400 matric pupils in Gqeberha could not sit for their Computer Applications Technology (CAT) exams on Tuesday, after a massive storm caused widespread flooding in the Eastern Cape. 

Around 300 pupils from five Kariega schools were similarly affected, according to MEC Fundile Gade. Flooding across Gqeberha and Kariega turned roads into rivers, making it impossible for students to reach their exam centres. 

The extreme weather conditions, which caused extensive damage to power lines, left large parts of the area without electricity, making it impossible for the students to proceed with their scheduled exam. Talk about the ultimate ‘technical difficulty.’

With roads turned into rivers, education officials had to rope in the police to help transport exam papers safely.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, in a briefing to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, confirmed the disruption. “(The candidates) need access to power but because of storm damage to power lines, they will not be able to write the exams in a fair manner today in Gqeberha,” said Gwarube. 

The Basic Education department, along with Umalusi (the exam quality assurer), assured the public that there was no need for alarm, as contingency measures, including back-up exam papers, had been put in place to ensure students would not be disadvantaged. So pupils will get another chance to write, just not while wading through ankle-deep water.

According to Gade, discussions are already underway to find alternative venues for the exams, with churches and community halls being considered. 

But the disruption isn’t just limited to schools. Local businesses have also been hit hard by the floods. The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber reports that 81% of surveyed businesses across the metro were affected, with 35% dealing with direct flood damage to their facilities. Commuters and employees alike are left high and dry—or, well, soaked and stranded.

In the meantime, the best the students can do is try to stay calm, dry, and maybe brush up on their other subjects while they wait for things to settle. After all, nothing says “exam prep” like being stuck indoors during a rainstorm, right?