• The pupils were part of 204 people, including staff, of Makaula Secondary School to test positive for the virus.
• The health department said the pupils tested positive for Covid-19 on 17 and 19 June.
• The education department confirmed that the pupils have all fully completed their isolation tenure and were in good health.

A total of 179 pupils from Makaula Senior Secondary School in Kwa Bhaca (formerly Mount Frere), have recovered from Covid-19 and have been discharged from quarantine.

The 179 were part of 204 people including support staff who tested positive at the school earlier this month.   

Education department spokesperson Loyiso Pulumani said Education MEC Fundile Gade was overjoyed to accept the 179 pupils back. 

Pulumani said the pupils have all fully completed their isolation tenure and were in good health.

He said: "Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba earlier announced that her department had finalised all their assessments of the health of the learners who had previously tested positive and were now happy to hand them back to the Department of Education."

Pulumani said Gade instructed the Alfred Nzo West District office to "activate" the pupils' parents so that they were ready to take their children home while the school was closed.

"The 100% recovery is something that we are all very thankful for, as it reflects on the high quality of care and psycho-social support that these learners were exposed to whilst in the care of our sister department (health). It is for that reason that we extend our heartfelt appreciation for the high quality of professionalism and care," said Gade.