Every year, the birthday of South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela is celebrated when organisations and communities join hands to make a difference.
This year is no different and the employees of Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) and their loved ones joined hands on Saturday, 21 July 2018 to uplift and renovate the Vuba Primary School in KwaNobuhle, Uitenhage. The primary school has 295 registered learners who attend classes from Pre-Grade R to Grade 5. The school which has been in operation since 1973 was in dire need of much needed tender loving care.
More than 230 volunteers assisted with painting of interior and exterior walls, the installation of playground structures, the painting of murals inside and outside the classrooms as well as planting a water wise garden. Grade R to Grade 3 classrooms were also gifted a mobile library full of age appropriate reading books.
“The committment by our volunteers continues to humble and inspire me. Madiba once said there can be no greater gift than that of giving ones time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return. I believe that each and every one of the Volkswagen volunteers here today believe this,” said Nonkqubela Maliza, Director of Corporate and Government Affairs: Volkswagen Group South Africa.
“The renovations at the school will bring changes in terms of the enrolments at the school, as they will attract parents from the surrounding areas to enrol their children at Vuba,” said Shumikazi Sibhozo, Principal at Vuba Primary School.
VWSA again partnered with Rise Against Hunger which is a non-profit organisation that aims to eradicate hunger by providing food and life-changing aid to the most vulnerable people.
VWSA‘s goal for 2018 is to contribute 100 000 packed meals to this initiative and after Saturday’s event, this total was brought to 80 000 meals. These meals were distributed to the families of Vuba Primary school as well as to Mabandla Preschool in KwaNobuhle, Ruth Dano Preschool, Love Angels Community Based Project, Lily of the Valley Preschool, Palmietrivier Primary School, Verite Primary School and Buhlebenkosi ECD.
“I was privileged to attend this year’s Mandela lecture and was once again reminded of how small acts of kindness and generosity can be the catalyst that bring about big change. So being here today and making these changes will hopefully create a great environment to encourage the children to dream big dreams,” said Thomas Schaefer, Chairman and Managing Director, Volkswagen Group South Africa.
This event was organised by the Volkswagen Show of Hands Volunteer Programme, an initiative under the Volkswagen for Good campaign. The Volkswagen for Good campaign is focused on education and youth development.
