BMW SA embraces a vision of life-long learning, will build all-new school in Ga-Rankuwa.

Midrand, South Africa. BMW SA will build a brand-new school in Ga-Rankuwa. The R113m school will accommodate 1600 pupils from grade RRR to Grade 12, and supports the company’s vision of life-long learning.

The new school will close the gap between the company’s Early Learning Centre at Plant Rosslyn and its graduate and training programmes, and makes the concept of life-long learning with BMW possible.

The investment underlines BMW Group South Africa’s continued commitment to education and to the communities of Soshanguve and Ga-Rankuwa, where so many BMW Group Plant Rosslyn associates live. In co-operation with the Gauteng Department of Education a site has been located and construction is expected to begin in 2021.

BMW Group SA is currently reaching out to education experts to partner with us on the project. Fees at the school will be benchmarked to other schools in the area and linked to average incomes in the neighbourhood the school will serve.

Education at the heart of BMW Group SA’s commitment to South Africa.

Education, training and skills development are at the heart of BMW Group’s activities in South Africa. In 2018 year the company opened a R73m Training Academy at Plant Rosslyn, and at Midrand head office in April 2019, a brand-new R109m Dealer Training Centre was opened to support our retail network partners.

Additionally, BMW Group South Africa is handing over 20 BMW X3s to schools, universities and science centres around the country. The first car was handed over to Soshanguve Automotive School of Specialisation in May 2019, with another six following over the course of 2019. The remaining cars will be distributed over the course of the year.

A long-term commitment to Education in South Africa.

“Education is the motor that drives our society and prepares the economy for the future,” emphasized Ilka Horstmeier, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Human Resources of BMW Group.

Tim Abbott, CEO: BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa said this was “one of the most exciting projects we’ve ever embarked upon in this country”.

“We have a dream of people taking their life-long journey of education with BMW, from pre-school to a graduate programme and on-the-job learning. We’ve supported more than 140 schools across the country over the years, but this project plugs that gap permanently,” Mr Abbott said.

The BMW Group is committed to improving education worldwide.

To mark the United Nations International Day of Education on 24 January 2020, the BMW Group announced that it will support one million children and young people worldwide through targeted educational projects and programmes by 2025.

The company has therefore been developing impactful educational projects worldwide for many years to give young people a leg-up into the labour market and offer them better prospects in life. The BMW Group already reaches around 400,000 children through projects at its German and international locations.

BMW Group South Africa is proud to play its role in this programme.

If you have any queries regarding this press release, please contact:

BMW South Africa Group Communications:

Mr Alexander Parker

BMW South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Manager: Business Communications

Tel: +27 12 522 2950

Cell: +27 71 666 2950

Mail: alexander.pa.parker@bmw.co.za

Mr Diederik Reitsma

BMW South Africa (Pty) Ltd

General Manager: Group Communications 

Tel: +27 12 522 2525

Cell: +27 71 666 2525

Mail: diederik.reitsma@bmw.co.za

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 30 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2018, the BMW Group sold over 2,490,000 passenger vehicles and more than 165,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2018 was € 9.815 billion on revenues amounting to € 97.480 billion. As of 31 December 2018, the BMW Group had a workforce of 134,682 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

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