| A multi-million rand contract to build a school was for the first time awarded to a 100% women-owned construction company. Minister Mcibisi Skwatsha visited Delft and Bloekombos where he ceremoniously turned the first sods on the exact locations where new primary schools are to be built shortly. Minister Mcebisi Skwatsha has, for the past few weeks, visited several locations in the Western Cape where the education infrastructure of communities will be upgraded. He turned the first sod on the exact location where individual schools are to be built. In George's Pacaltsdorp a very windy and rainy day greeted the Minister and Public Works officials. Community leaders were very grateful for his visit and stressed the importance of their youth's education. Minister Skwatsha said that everything can be taken away from people except their education and qualifications. "We can be stripped of everything: money, clothes, possessions, everything, except our qualifications" he said. |  Pictured here with the Minister is Fatima Kagee owner of MSK Construction who was awarded the tender to build the new primary school in Delft. |
| Minister Skwatsha also visited the communities of Delft, Bloekombos and Phillippi East, where he stressed that after the schools have been built, the onus will be on the community to look after their schools and prevent thieves and looters from destroying it. | |
 Keith Barron, Cedric Carstens, Ismail Jakoet and André Nieuwoudt constitute the Departmental Project Team working on the project to deliver a new primary school for Delft. | The need for education infrastructure increased tremendously in the Western Cape the past few years due to the increase in population numbers. The new school in Pacaltsdorp will accommodate 1 120 learners and will cost more than R8 million. The first phase will be completed in April 2005. |
 Joining Minister Mcebisi Skwatsha, (third from the right) at the sod turning event in Pacaltsdorp near George are from the left, Arther Manuel, George Hendricks, Sakkie Muller, Francois Joubert Thando Mguli and Jolene Noble. | |
Enquiries:
Chris Prins
Manager: Communication
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 2132
Email: cwprins@pgwc.gov.za
