Two significant projects by Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA), both of which are aimed at ensuring functional literacy by the age of 10 for Kariega learners, reached milestones worth celebrating.
Share with friends
The manufacturer’s partnership with the Nal’ibali National Reading Campaign has been running since 2012, making this the tenth anniversary of the partnership, which has reached more than 5 000 children in Kariega, Despatch and Motherwell to date.
With VWSA’s support through its VW Community Trust, the Nal’ibali programme runs in 18 primary schools in these areas, with 160 reading clubs to promote a love of reading, and 635 people trained to support literacy development through these initiatives.
At the same time, this month marks five years since VWSA’s first literacy centre was opened at Ntlemeza Primary School in Kariega. The company has established a total of five literacy centres at KwaNobuhle schools, the other centres being at Vuba Primary, Noninzi Luzipho Primary, Mngcunube Primary and James Ntungwana Primary. A total of 1 124 learners have been reached through this literacy intervention.
To build on the success of these centres, the company has also introduced classroom-based literacy interventions at five more KwaNobuhle primary schools. This programme is administered by Funda Wande, a long-standing partner of VWSA, and entails Teacher Assistants working full time with the teachers in classrooms to promote literacy.
The beneficiaries of this programme, which began in January, are: Melumzi Primary School, Nosipho Primary School, Phakamile Primary School, Mthonjeni Senior Primary School and Alex Jayiya Primary School. An estimated 633 learners will benefit from this initiative in 2022.
These two initiatives are only a part of the Community Trust’s extensive efforts to ensure learners can read for meaning by grade 3. Other programmes include a variety of workshops hosted for learners, parents and caregivers at 10 schools since 2015, as well as teacher training specifically focused on teaching reading, in partnership with Rhodes University and Funda Wande. An estimated R57 million has been invested in VWSA’s journey for literacy to date.
, making this the tenth anniversary of the partnership, which has reached more than 5 000 children in Kariega, Despatch and Motherwell to date.
With VWSA’s support through its VW Community Trust, the Nal’ibali programme runs in 18 primary schools in these areas, with 160 reading clubs to promote a love of reading, and 635 people trained to support literacy development through these initiatives.
At the same time, this month marks five years since VWSA’s first literacy centre was opened at Ntlemeza Primary School in Kariega. The company has established a total of five literacy centres at KwaNobuhle schools, the other centres being at Vuba Primary, Noninzi Luzipho Primary, Mngcunube Primary and James Ntungwana Primary. A total of 1 124 learners have been reached through this literacy intervention.
To build on the success of these centres, the company has also introduced classroom-based literacy interventions at five more KwaNobuhle primary schools. This programme is administered by Funda Wande, a long-standing partner of VWSA, and entails Teacher Assistants working full time with the teachers in classrooms to promote literacy.
The beneficiaries of this programme, which began in January, are: Melumzi Primary School, Nosipho Primary School, Phakamile Primary School, Mthonjeni Senior Primary School and Alex Jayiya Primary School. An estimated 633 learners will benefit from this initiative in 2022.
These two initiatives are only a part of the Community Trust’s extensive efforts to ensure learners can read for meaning by grade 3. Other programmes include a variety of workshops hosted for learners, parents and caregivers at 10 schools since 2015, as well as teacher training specifically focused on teaching reading, in partnership with Rhodes University and Funda Wande. An estimated R57 million has been invested in VWSA’s journey for literacy to date.
The Kia Carens nameplate makes its return to South Africa, this time as a seven‑seater designed with families in mind. It combines Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) styling with Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) practicality, offering space, comfort and efficiency, Kia says.
Volvo has confirmed that its vehicles will now integrate Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence system. This development builds on the company’s existing collaboration with Google, which already provides Android Automotive OS and Google services in Volvo models.
New vehicle sales in 2026 continued their positive trend in April, with the 47 979 units sold marking the best April figure since 2013. This represents a remarkable performance by local automotive retailers despite a host of economic headwinds and a challenging trading environment.
Volvo has confirmed that its vehicles will now integrate Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence system. This development builds on the company’s existing collaboration with Google, which already provides Android Automotive OS and Google services in Volvo models.
New vehicle sales in 2026 continued their positive trend in April, with the 47 979 units sold marking the best April figure since 2013. This represents a remarkable performance by local automotive retailers despite a host of economic headwinds and a challenging trading environment.
April 2026 marked a turning point in South Africa’s economic landscape, as global energy markets were jolted by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, according to naamsa | The Automotive Business Council.