…for us it’s about more than just producing vehicles for sheer driving pleasure.

– Dr Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Production.

Rosslyn, Tshwane– BMW SA on Thursday donated five cars to aid the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in South Africa. The donation underlines the company’s long-term commitment to South Africa and to the upliftment of its people.

The five BMW i3s were handed over to SA Business Coalition on Health and AIDS (SABCOHA) Chairperson Dr Lesego Rametsi in the presence of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chancellor Angela Merkel, Minister of Women in the Presidency Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Trade and Industry Ibrahim Patel and BMW Group Board Members Milan Nedeljković and Ilka Horstmeier.

Through SABCOHA, BMW Group is proud to join other private sector partners in the fight to end all forms of violence against women and children, to seek the end of impunity for perpetrators, and to strive to create private and public safe spaces for women and children.

BMW SA was instrumental in the formation of SABCOHA and the cars will be used to support community-based care workers in their work in prevention and support of victims of gender-based violence.

That’s why we’ve chosen to donate five cars to the Presidency’s specialised GBV unit. Gender-based violence is a scourge

– Tim Abbott, CEO: BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa

A committed partner in our community

BMW Group has been building cars in Rosslyn, Tshwane, since 1973, and the company has long-standing commitments in the communities of Soshanguve and Ga-Rankuwa.

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, commented at the handover that the participation of women and young people in the economy was critical to a healthy society: “We are here today to offer our support and promote the acceptance of all people no matter their background. We as a company, both as an employer and our employees, see it as our responsibility to promote and invest in the future of South Africa. ”

 “Our commitments to education and health in our Rosslyn communities are well-known,” said Tim Abbott, CEO: BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. “However, we’re always looking for new ways we can improve life in South Africa. That’s why we’ve chosen to donate five cars to the Presidency’s specialised GBV unit. Gender-based violence is a scourge, and I’m pleased we can do something to help,” Mr Abbott concluded.