Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has marked its 75th anniversary in South Africa by opening a new science and mathematics school in KwaNobuhle, in partnership with the LEAP Institute.
The LEAP 9 Science and Mathematics School was officially opened on August 31, 2026 and is intended to strengthen education in these subjects for learners from KwaNobuhle and the surrounding areas.
Present at the opening ceremony were Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube, Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Babalwa Lobishe, Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume, and Global Volkswagen brand CEO Thomas Schaefer.
The school building had been abandoned and in a state of disrepair for a number of years before its refurbishment. It now accommodates learners in Grades 1, 2 and 8, with additional grades to be introduced over time. The school is expected to reach full operational capacity by 2034, supported by a multi-million-rand investment in infrastructure and operations.
The project is part of Volkswagen’s broader cradle-to-career approach to education. The company is already involved in several educational initiatives in and around Kariega, including the Ikhwezi Lomso Early Childhood Development Centre, the Kutlwanong Maths Centre and the loveLife Youth Centre.
Nonkqubela Maliza, VWGA’s Director of Corporate and Government Affairs, said the school is focused on providing quality education in science and mathematics, which the company regards as key areas for learning. “These subjects are the foundation for growth, for innovation and for empowerment.”
The LEAP Institute is a non-governmental organisation with over two decades of experience in science and mathematics education. It works to equip young people with the skills needed to pursue further studies and enter meaningful careers.
Maliza added that LEAP’s track record in strengthening maths and science education made it a suitable partner for establishing a primary and high school in KwaNobuhle, an area where many Volkswagen employees live.
VWGA Chairperson and Managing Director Martina Biene also attended the opening. She spoke about the importance of the company’s relationship with the communities near its Kariega plant. “One of our defining traits as a company is we are a responsible corporate citizen. A responsible corporate citizen is a company that is as much a part of the community as your neighbours.”
Biene described the partnership with LEAP as the beginning of a new phase for both VWGA and the KwaNobuhle community. She noted that Volkswagen has maintained a long-standing presence in the region and that the new school represents another step in that engagement. “As we start down a new road with LEAP and the community of KwaNobuhle, I am excited to see the impact that lies ahead, and the successful futures this partnership will shape for the youth of KwaNobuhle,” she added.
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