VWGA employees and their loved ones lend a helping hand to Happydale Special School

• Over 200 VWGA employees and loved ones came out in numbers to lend a helping hand at the Show of Hands

Kariega – On Saturday, 18 July 2026, more than 200 Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) employees and their loved ones gathered at Happydale Special School for the annual Show of Hands volunteerism event.

The event, which has been hosted since 2011 and is the 41^st iteration held in Nelson Mandela Bay and Gauteng, provides VWGA employees with the opportunity to volunteer alongside their families and friends by helping to restore and repair infrastructure of non-profit organisations (NPOs) and schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay. This year’s iteration of the Show of Hands coincided with Mandela Day, a day that honours the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, by encouraging people to dedicate time to helping those less fortunate.

"Show of Hands is about more than improving buildings. It is about people coming together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Every volunteer gives their time, energy and care to help create a better environment where learners can thrive, and that spirit of giving is what makes this initiative so special," said Nonkqubela Maliza, VWGA Corporate and Government Affairs Director.

Happydale Special School was founded in 1963 and provides quality education, care and support to learners with special learning needs. The school currently supports more than 330 learners, ensuring that each child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

During the event, VWGA volunteers restored and repaired different areas of the school to improve its facilities. Some painted murals, soccer field, jungle gym, walls around the school, while others worked in the gardens. Additionally, volunteers packed nutritious food parcels that will be distributed to locally selected Early Child Development Centres and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

"One of Volkswagen Group Africa’s greatest strengths is our employees’ willingness to serve the communities around us. Seeing colleagues and their loved ones work side by side to create a better learning environment is a reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact. Over the past 75 years, our company has placed people and community at the heart of everything it does, helping to build a meaningful and lasting legacy," added Maliza.