With the vision of shaping a centre of excellence for Eastern Cape entrepreneurs, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) and Raizcorp joined hands in April 2011 to establish the Volkswagen Business Support Centre in Kariega.
In the 15 years since, the centre has incubated 178 entrepreneurs in their business journeys, contributing to R733 million turnover generated within Eastern Cape. The companies benefiting from the centre’s programme employ almost 2 000 people, and have created 680 new jobs since beginning their participation. Of these businesses, 30 have been onboarded as suppliers to Volkswagen Group Africa. To date, VWGA has procured services and products worth R93.9 million from these 30 entrepreneurs.
Additionally, the centre has provided business advice to over 5 000 walk-in visitors in its 15-year history.
“To Volkswagen Group Africa, thank you for believing in small businesses like mine,”said Nishan Moosa, owner of Adams and Co Refined Homes. During her participation in the centre’s programme, Nishan’s business saw a 124% increase in turnover.
“Your support has given me the tools to professionalise, the confidence to grow and the opportunity to build something lasting for my family and community. You haven’t just helped me grow a business; you have helped me build a legacy.”
“Over the years, I have had the privilege of seeing many business partnerships take shape, but few have demonstrated the same level of longevity and consistency as the one between Raizcorp and Volkswagen Group Africa,” reflected Allon Raiz, CEO of Raizcorp.
“The Volkswagen Business Support Centre in Kariega represents far more than an incubator; it stands as a testament to long-term commitment to entrepreneurship and meaningful impact. Together, we have made a tangible difference, supporting over 178 businesses and creating over 600 new jobs.”
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The R95-million investment from VWGA in the Business Support Centre is part of a wider enterprise and supplier development strategy, which simultaneously prioritises economic empowerment and transformation in the automotive sector.
In addition, VWGA is a founding member of the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund, which is aimed at financing black-owned companies in this industry, resulting in over R1.7 billion of market access opportunities to these businesses.
Meanwhile, the Volkswagen B-BBEE Initiatives Trust, which was established in 2016, has also offered financial support to seven black-owned businesses in the automotive space, including a black female-owned vehicle dealership, GardenRouteMAN Auto, and MCR Plastics, owned by a former VWGA employee.
“For us, corporate social investment is exactly that: an investment, of time, expertise and resources,” said Nonkqubela Maliza, Director of Corporate and Government Affairs. “We want to empower our communities to build better futures, and we rely on strategic partnerships such as this one to make sure we have that impact.
“While I am proud of the role we have played in supporting local entrepreneurs over the past 15 years, I encourage the larger business community to support our beneficiaries and other entrepreneurs, so we can all take this further and bring more positive change in the economy of the Eastern Cape.”
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