During July 2011, the manufacturer started a bursary programme and in the 10 years that followed, the VW bursary programme has funded quality education for 77 learners to attend prestigious schools and even universities throughout the country.

The programme, which selects and supports top achieving learners, has partnered with 10 high schools - including Woodridge College, Collegiate Girls’ High, Grey High, Riebeek College, Muir College and Kearsney College in KwaZulu-Natal – to bring new opportunities to employees’ children.

Through the programme, the chosen learners are then placed with these schools and funded through VWSA. Some learners have also received support in their tertiary studies. To date, VWSA has invested over R18 million in furthering the education of the bursary beneficiaries.

The Children of VW programme is only one initiative that VWSA manages in the education sector. The VW Community Trust has in recent years established five literacy centres at schools in Kariega, with the aim of ensuring that each learner in Kariega can read with understanding by the end of Grade 3.

“Education and youth development are priorities for the Community Trust and for VWSA,” says Nonkqubela Maliza, Director for Corporate and Government Affairs at VWSA.

“We have continuously played an active role in empowering the youth – whether or not they are children of our employees, or children in our communities. This milestone is a proud achievement, and I look forward to many more years of building bright futures wherever we can.”