Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA), together with the Department of Basic Education, recently handed over the first of 240 engines which are being donated to technical high schools across South Africa.
Kicking off the donation programme, Otto du Plessis High School received the first engine, valued at R7.8 million.
Deputy Education Minister, Dr Reginah Mhaule, said the donated engines would be used to promote youth skills development and training in the automotive industry.
“It is only through sustainable partnerships set in the premise of skills-development, training and youth empowerment that we can truly seek to add value to the lives of our future leaders.
“These engines will go a long way to solidifying the department’s three–stream model and truly enhance the teaching of mechanical technology (automotive). For this we are truly indebted to the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa,’’ Mhaule said.
The engines are assembled at the Struandale Engine Plant, which currently operates two engine programmes; the new-generation 2.0 Bi-Turbo and 2.0 Single Turbo engine family, as well as the established 2.2 and 3.2 litre Duratorq TDCi units.
These engines are produced for the domestic market and export customers around the world, and are used in a variety of models, including the Ford Ranger pickup, the Ranger Raptor high-performance off-road pickup and the Everest seven-seater sport utility vehicle (SUV), as well as the European-built Ford Transit.
“We are exceptionally proud to be part of this initiative which, once again, confirms Ford’s commitment to empowering and uplifting the youth, and creating a brighter future for the communities in which we operate,” said the Struandale Engine Plant manager, Shawn Govender.
“The automotive industry is one of the largest employers in the country, and Ford alone contributes more than 1% to South Africa’s total GDP. The industry also plays a key role in the economies of the Eastern Cape and Nelson Mandela Bay, in particular, so it’s fitting that we are able to deliver the first engine to Otto du Plessis High School,” he added.
Govender said they were confident that giving learners at the school level access to the plant’s world-class engines would foster new interest in automotive technology. “This will inspire the next generation of engineers, designers and technicians who will lead future development and innovation in the sector.”
