Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa
By BAKANG MOKOTO
2 September 2026 – The Republic of South Africa president, Cyril Ramaphosa said like him, many South Africans carry memories of the place of Volkswagen cars in their lives. Ramaphosa, who delivered a keynote address at in Kariega, where Volkwagen was celebrating 75 years of manufacturing in South Africa, said this brand is so woven into their culture that they sometimes have to remind themselves that VW is not a South African vehicle.
He further said as Volkswagen itself says: “It is a German brand, with a South African heart.” Ramaphosa added that on the 31st of August 1951, the first Volkswagen Beetle rolled off the production line in what was then Uitenhage.
“That moment marked the beginning of what would become the largest German investment in Southern Africa. This plant is the oldest Volkswagen manufacturing facility outside Europe. It is today the only plant in the world that manufactures the Volkswagen Polo, and the sole exporter of the Polo to Europe and the Asia‑Pacific.
“Every Polo you see outside South Africa was built right here. Close to five million vehicles have been built here – the Beetle, the Kombi, the Golf, the Jetta, the Citi Golf, the Polo and the Polo Vivo. These vehicles have been built for South Africa and for the world,” he said.
Ramaphosa said this is a remarkable achievement. He said Volkswagen has never been content simply to do business in South Africa.
“It has sought to become part of the fabric of our nation. At the height of apartheid, when it was neither easy nor popular to do so, Volkswagen was the first company in this industry to recognise black trade unions and to employ black artisans.
“Tonight, we celebrate this proud history. We celebrate generations of Volkswagen employees who have built this company. We celebrate the suppliers, dealers, organised labour and communities that have been part of this journey,” said Ramaphosa.
He said they celebrate the contribution that Volkswagen has made to Kariega, Nelson Mandela Bay, the Eastern Cape and the South African economy. Ramaphosa said tonight is about honouring the past, celebrating today and driving tomorrow.
“It is an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the last 75 years and to look to the future. The automotive sector is one of the largest manufacturing industries in our country. It supports more than 115000 direct manufacturing jobs and more than half a million jobs across the automotive value chain.
“The industry accounts for just over 5% of our gross domestic product and reaches 155 export destinations. Vehicles manufactured by our plants reach markets across Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Africa and many other parts of the world,” he said.
