Rosslyn, Tshwane. President Cyril Ramaphosa and
German Chancellor Angela Merkel were welcomed by BMW Group board
members Ilka Horstmeier and Milan Nedeljković to meet the engineers of
the future at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn in Tshwane on Thursday.
Chancellor Merkel is in the country on a state visit focussed on
education programmes, and took the opportunity to meet beneficiaries
of BMW’s multiple education and training programmes at Plant Rosslyn.
During the visit to the plant, their Excellencies were able to visit
the Bodyshop, which was in recent years expanded to as part of a
R6.1bn investment into the plant. In the Bodyshop they were able to
meet Ditshego Sebothoma and Tiisetso Mafolo, who have come through the
BMW Graduate Programme and who are currently working in the Bodyshop.
Training and education at the heart of BMW Group SA’s commitment to
South Africa.
Moving on to the BMW Group Training Academy, Chancellor Merkel and
President Ramaphosa met with trainees who are learning skills critical
to the motor industry.
Dr Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG,
Production, said that “for us it’s about more than just producing
vehicles for sheer driving pleasure. It’s about being an integral part
of society and improving the livelihood of our employees, their
families and their surrounding communities.”
Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Human
Resources, said that “education is the motor that drives our society
and prepares the economy for the future – in South Africa and worldwide.”
Tim Abbott, CEO: BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa said
the company was honoured to host the guests.
“It’s great to get recognition of the work we do in education and
training at this level. It’s been wonderful to see their sincere
interest in the work we’re doing at BMW to drive education, especially
in the STEM subjects, which will benefit the industry as a whole,” Mr
Abbott said.
“More than 2000 people have gone from training at BMW to a job at BMW
Group Plant Rosslyn, so what we’re doing really works,” Mr Abbott concluded.
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.
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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