Winners of the VWSA Black Suppliers Ntinga Project announced

Last night, the winners of the Ntinga Project were announced following a full day of presentations. Five Suppliers were named the winners and handed a supply contract which will come in to effect once they complete a 18-month training and mentorship programme successfully.

Each of the 10 finalists was given 25 minutes to present themselves, their company and their products to a panel of expert judges who listened, questioned and analysed each presentation. The panel of judges included Thomas Schaefer, Chairman and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group South Africa; Takalani Tambani, Head of the Black Industrialist Programme (DTI); Siphamandla Ndawonde (VWSA B-BBEE Trust), Ndulela Canca, VWSA Purchasing Manager and Junior Lechaba, VWSA Quality Manager

The Ntinga Project, which was launched on 19 October with the announcement of the 10 finalists, was followed by intensive mentoring to each finalist by an existing and established VWSA supplier. Ntinga is an isiXhosa word which means to soar and by offering business mentorship and training to up-and-coming suppliers, Volkswagen hopes they will rise to great heights in the automotive sector and beyond.

The five winners in no particular order are: Bona Once Bona Twice CC, Jamsco Automotive Assemblies (Pty)Ltd, KPL Die Casting (Pty) Ltd, Production Logix (Pty) Ltd and Thekwini Wire and Fasteners (pty) Ltd.

“The caliber of presentations today showed us that there is a lot of potential in the market, all these suppliers need is guidance, training and a helping hand,” said Thomas Schaefer, VWSA Chairman and Managing Director.

The five winners now start an intensive 18-month mentoring programme run by VWSA Learning Academy, VWSA B-BBEE Trust, ASCCI (Automotive Supply Chain Competitiveness Initiative) and other VWSA divisions to ensure that they receive a wide range of skills that will make them successful at the end of the 18 month mentorship journey.

“Volkswagen is committed to developing and supporting these five up and coming black-owned suppliers. We have the resources, skills and know how in-house and together with our partners we can ensure that they will succeed. It’s only five, but it’s a start and we aim to continue to develop B-BBEE suppliers in the Automotive Sector.” said Thomas Schaefer, VWSA Chairman and Managing Director.