Watched by new principle Mary Nkale, MEC for Transport and Public Works, Marius Fransman hands over the keys of the newly built Ekhuthuleni Primary School to Cameron Dugmore, MEC for Education.

The Department of Transport and Public Works presented the first 8 of 15 schools completed for communities in the Western Cape to the Department of Education. 17 000 children will benefit from this newly created infrastructure.

An extensive mobilisation and advertising campaign was launched by Minister Marius Fransman's office to invite communities to various ceremonies held in Nomsamo, Masiphumelele, Delft, Bloekombos, Mfuleni and Kraaifontein.

Jubilant members of the Bloekombos community celebrate at the entrance of the newly completed Ekhuthuleni Primary School

Learners and teachers have already been occupying the majority of these schools, some of which were built in only 6 months, since the start of the 2006 school term. The Department of Transport and Public Works invested more than R170 million in the development of these schools and created more than 3 000 jobs during the construction phase of the projects. Previously disadvantaged individuals were awarded 80% of the tenders for contracting, sub-contracting and professional services as part of the department's commitment to alleviating poverty in the province.