Kariega, South Africa – 5 August 2025 – In a heartwarming act of community-driven transformation, more than 150 Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) employees and their families gathered at Swartkops Primary School in Gqeberha on Saturday, 2 August, to breathe new life into one of the region’s most under-resourced educational institutions.
The initiative, part of VWGA’s long-standing Show of Hands employee volunteerism programme, is a tangible example of how corporate social responsibility can go beyond financial contributions to make lasting, hands-on change.
Swartkops Primary, a 108-year-old quintile three, no-fee public school serving 649 learners from Grade R to Grade 7, was selected after a rigorous scoping process by the Volkswagen Community Trust. “Among five potential beneficiaries, it was clear that Swartkops Primary needed our support the most,” said Nonkqubela Maliza, VWGA’s Director of Corporate and Government Affairs. “Education is one of the key focus areas of the Volkswagen Community Trust and for us this was an opportunity to create a lasting impact.”
The school, which plays a vital role in educating children from surrounding communities including Motherwell, KwaDwesi and Kwazakhele, operates under considerable financial strain. Many of its learners come from economically challenged households, and VWGA recognised that this was more than just a chance to upgrade infrastructure – it was an opportunity to invest in the future of the region’s children.
From Brushes to Books: A Multi-Faceted Transformation
Throughout the day, the school grounds buzzed with activity as volunteers rolled up their sleeves to paint walls, repair broken windows and doors, rejuvenate ablution facilities, and install colourful murals. Outside, others restored gardens and erected new soccer and rugby poles to give learners safe, engaging spaces to play.
VWGA also donated reading books, underscoring the company’s commitment to educational upliftment. In total, the organisation invested over R750,000 into the refurbishment project.
But the impact didn’t stop there. In collaboration with the SPAR Distribution Centre in Perseverance, volunteers packed more than 3,000 nutritious meal parcels. Each parcel is designed to support a family of four, and they will be distributed to local non-profits and Early Childhood Development Centres, further extending the day’s positive reach into the broader community.
Leadership in Action
Among the volunteers was VWGA Managing Director and Chairperson, Martina Biene, a familiar face at community upliftment events. “Our employees have chosen to give their time and energy, which, to me, is the most meaningful donation of all,” she said.
Her sentiment reflects the ethos behind the Show of Hands programme, which began in 2011 and has since supported 38 non-profit organisations and schools across the country. With more than R8 million invested to date, the programme exemplifies the power of consistent, purpose-driven engagement in effecting real change.
More Than a Refurbishment – A Reaffirmation of Hope
For VWGA, the Swartkops Primary initiative was not just about fixing buildings. It was about restoring pride, reaffirming hope, and recognising the school’s importance as a cornerstone of the community.
In a country where education remains one of the most powerful tools for social mobility and transformation, initiatives like this underscore the role businesses can play in shaping a brighter future – not just through what they produce, but through how they show up for the people around them.
As the paint dried and the last meal parcel was packed, it became clear that Show of Hands is more than just a name. It’s a philosophy – one that Volkswagen Group Africa continues to embody with compassion, consistency, and collective purpose.
