Two major automotive manufacturers have launched distinct community support projects in South Africa this month. Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa and Volkswagen Group Africa each initiated programmes focused on youth development and education.
Ford South Africa has partnered with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, providing a fleet of 19 vehicles to aid the Fund's nationwide outreach during its 30th anniversary year and Mandela Month. The fleet, including Ford Transits, Tourneos, and locally assembled Rangers, will be used for three years before being donated to the Fund. Vehicles have been allocated and modified for specific programmes supporting child health, safety, and sustainable livelihoods.
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These include a Transit converted into a mobile clinic for child health services, another adapted as a mobile workshop for child protection outreach, and a panel van fitted for egg distribution in youth agricultural projects. Ford's Pro™ Convertor programme ensured specialised modifications met safety standards while preserving warranties.
Volkswagen Group Africa, meanwhile, mobilised its employee volunteer initiative, Show of Hands. Over 150 employees and family members undertook refurbishment work at Swartkops Primary School in Gqeberha on 2 August. Identified by the Volkswagen Community Trust as needing significant support, the 108-year-old, no-fee school received painting, repairs to ablution facilities, window and door fixes, and grounds beautification. VWGA invested over R750,000 in the project, which also included donating reading books and installing sports poles.
Volunteers additionally packed more than 3,000 nutritional meal parcels through a partnership with SPAR Distribution Centre in Perseverance. These parcels, each feeding four people, will be distributed to local non-profits and Early Childhood Development centres.
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Ford's Neale Hill stated their vehicle support aims to deepen the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund’s reach and empower its services. Volkswagen's Martina Biene highlighted the value of employee time and energy donated through Show of Hands, a programme active since 2011 that has supported 38 organisations with over R8 million invested.
Both initiatives demonstrate the automotive companies' ongoing commitments to addressing specific community needs in South Africa, focusing on enabling mobility for essential services and improving educational infrastructure.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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