Ahead of an announcement this coming Monday 17 January by Executive Mayor Xanoxolo Wayile of bold plans by the Nelson Mandela Municipality and the private sector to contribute to the goal of improving the quality of education in the Bay and revealing one company, among others, that has pledged to contribute millions of rands to improve facilities in some schools, local automotive group Volkswagen today announced a further R2-million commitment to the Department of Education’s Adopt-a-Dinaledi School Project in Atteridgeville and Hammanskraal. This brings the total investment to the education of the future leaders of South Africa to R6-million.
Volkswagen Group South Africa has a long history of Corporate Social Investment in South Africa and is proud to celebrate the third anniversary of its initiative to partner with the Department of Education on their Adopt-a-Dinaledi-School Project. The schools that Volkswagen Group South Africa supports are Bokgoni High School in Atteridgeville and Makgetse High School in Hammanskraal.
The programme, which was officially launched in January 2009, is aimed at uplifting the standard of education at the adopted schools by augmenting the work done by the Department of Education. This includes improving the learning environment, especially in the areas of Maths and Science, providing infrastructure improvements as well as curriculum assistance through learner and teacher support.
Work at the first adopted school, Bokgoni Technical High School in Atteridgeville, started in 2008 and interventions at the school to date have included the erection of palisade fencing, the building of ablution blocks, the supply of workbooks in Maths, Science and Technical Drawings, the provision of laptops, projectors and scientific calculators as well as five mobile libraries containing 2000 books.
The 2010 matriculants were also given examination preparation classes to fill in the gap left by the public sector strike. This intervention programme has achieved satisfactory results with the recent announcement of the 2010 matric results showing that one of Bokgoni’s students, Zwelibanzi Makonyane, achieved four distinctions in Geography, Maths, Life Science and Physics. A total of 25 pupils obtained a University entry to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Last year, Volkswagen added Makgetse High School as its second school in the Adopt-a-Dinaledi School Project. The erection of shading for the assembly area, the upgrading of ablutions and the equipping of the science laboratory at the school are currently underway. Other projects include a Grade 12 examination intervention programme, the provision of five mobile libraries and a permaculture vegetable garden.
Volkswagen is proud to announce that its investment has already paid off, with the 2010 Matric results showing that one of the Makgetse High School students, Tshogofatso Flora Maila achieved five distinctions in Maths, Physics, Sesotho, Life Science and Afrikaans. A total of 42 University entry to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
The MEC Education, Ms. Barbara Creecy commented, “Our partnerships with Corporate South Africa and other stakeholders are key to our success in ventures such as the Adopt-a-Dinaledi School Project. We are grateful to companies such as the Volkswagen Group South Africa for their on-going support. Since the launch of the initiative, there has been an increase in the level of participation and a systematic improvement in the performance of learners in mathematics and science and we look forward to continuing successes in 2011.”
Volkswagen Group South Africa’s main projects for the 2011 school year at the two adopted schools will include the following elements:
- An advanced Educator Development Programme aimed at developing the skills of educators in Maths, Science and English.
- A Learner Development Programme aimed at providing curriculum support to Top Potential learners to ensure that they are given advanced curriculum support and career guidance.
Nonkqubela Maliza, Director of Corporate and Government Affairs for the Volkswagen Group South Africa, said “Our long-term vision with the Department of Education’s Adopt-a-Dinaledi School Project is to equip and develop the youth of today to become dynamic members of society who will grow up to be the economically active and socially responsible leaders of our nation.”
Volkswagen intends to achieve this by creating centres of learning excellence through a professional and results-orientated schooling environment where teachers are equipped and motivated to deliver quality education to learners.
Ms Maliza continued “Volkswagen Group South Africa is proud to continue its partnership with the Department of Education in 2011 and look forward to further successes in the coming school year.”
Alan Straton
Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)
- Josh Maraney Launches a Free, Searchable Library of More Than 700 Short-Form Videos - 24 July 2026
- FirstRand Volunteers Mobilised 2,500 Employees Nationwide to Honour Mandela’s Legacy Through Action - 23 July 2026
- Vital Questions to Ask an AV Client Needing Web Site Development - 22 July 2026
- Canon EOS Mirrorless Cameras – Which One Should I Choose? - 22 July 2026
- Why Is Month-End Still a Fire Drill? - 22 July 2026
