AutoTrader ignites a spark to empower the youth of South Africa

In our commitment to giving back to the community, we invited the learners of Afrika Tikkun and eDeaf to an exclusive AutoTrader VIP experience at the 2024 Festival of Motoring.

The Festival of Motoring is a renowned event that celebrates the automotive industry and features a wide range of activities, including exhibitions and hot lap experiences.

By inviting these learners to our stand, we were able to familiarise them with spaces that exist outside of their disadvantaged communities and ignite a spark of automotive interest in them, with the hope that they might someday pursue career paths within the automotive industry.

Our VIPs were treated to an enthralling hot-lap experience around the world-famous Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, in one of four Mercedes-AMG C36 S E Performance saloons driven by the talented instructors from the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy, or one of seven modified sports cars courtesy of Vilaca Racing.

Patience Luhanga, the HR officer at Afrika Tikkun, expressed her gratitude: “This was an amazing experience and a true privilege. The joyful smiles on our learners' faces brought me immense happiness. I thank AutoTrader for providing them with this opportunity, and I will forever cherish that moment.”

“Beyond the thrill of the races and luxurious cars, the event provided our learners with a sense of inclusion and belonging, reinforcing that they, too, have a place in every part of our society. It was not just a day of excitement but also a powerful moment of empowerment, showing them that their deafness does not limit their abilities.” Jesse Kotze, the COO of eDeaf, added.

"We are incredibly proud to have been given the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these amazing young minds," said Nomakhosi Shozi, the head of Human Resources at AutoTrader and Property24. “Our goal is to empower them by revealing the great things that they can achieve in the automotive landscape, and the role they can play."

This initiative is one of our many ongoing investments in creating positive change in our communities.

We look forward to continuing our efforts to support and uplift the youth of South Africa through our future initiatives and partnerships.

To keep up with motoring news, visit https://www.autotrader.co.za/cars/news-and-advice.