• Home
  • Car Advice
  • News
  • Lists
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Notification
Celebs

Cars Driven by Novak Djokovic

Celebs

Cars Driven by Conor McGregor

Celebs

Cars Driven by Kylian Mbappé

Celebs

Cars Driven by Neymar Jr.

Font ResizerAa
Car Things South AfricaCar Things South Africa
  • Home
  • Car Advice
  • News
  • Lists
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Search
  • Home
  • Car Advice
  • News
  • Lists
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Sign In Sign In
Follow US
Made by ThemeRuby using the Foxiz theme. Powered by WordPress
Car Things South Africa > Blog > News > Volkswagen South Africa Project Engineer instrumental in protecting employees against Covid-19
News

Volkswagen South Africa Project Engineer instrumental in protecting employees against Covid-19

Car Things
Last updated: 2021/11/11 at 1:03 PM
By Car Things 3 Min Read
SHARE

 Starting a new job mere weeks before a pandemic is challenging; being put in charge of establishing your new employer’s Covid-19 testing and vaccination centres is another adventure altogether.

This was the experience of Nakedi Nkoana, 30, when she joined Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) on 1 March 2020, in the same month that South Africa went into its first national lockdown to protect the country from Covid-19.

Nakedi, who works as a Project Engineer (Architecture) at VWSA, was quickly charged with establishing a facility where the company’s Wellness team could perform Covid-19 tests for employees at the Kariega plant. 

“We worked with a quick turnaround time for the testing facility; it was done within a month,” said Nakedi. “I have a background in architecture but there was a lot to learn on the medical side. The project served as my orientation.”

The testing site, which was set up in the VW AutoPavilion parking lot adjacent to the Kariega plant, has performed nearly 8 000 tests to date. This included the testing of all Kariega employees before they returned to work in January 2021. 

However, Nakedi’s work to protect her colleagues from Covid-19 did not stop there. At the start of this year she began planning for the VWSA Vaccination Centre at the PeoplePavilion, where more than 3 000 vaccines have been administered to date. The centre opened to employees on 2 August and has since expanded its operations to include service providers, loved ones of VWSA employees, and even members of the wider public.

“I became involved with this quite early on, and we were on a very tight schedule. It started with a concept for the centre in February, which was approved by the Board of Management in April, and after we received the approval for funding it was only one month until we had our site inspection so we could open.”

Though she encountered some challenges along the way, Nakedi considers these projects as “an adventure”. “It was really good for me, to be able to do something to contribute to the fight against Covid-19. This was a team effort at every step, and I received consistent, invaluable support from colleagues across different departments to make these facilities a reality. I am very proud of what the difference we’ve made here.”

“Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, our employees have made the company proud through their innovation and their dedication to the fight against Covid-19,” said Dr Robert Cisek, VWSA Chairman and Managing Director. “I commend every employee who has been involved in establishing and running our testing facility and vaccination centre, as they have been instrumental in the difference VWSA has made in protecting the community from the virus.

Car Things November 11, 2021 October 22, 2021
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link

Ads

Latest News

Cars Driven by Novak Djokovic
Celebs
Cars Driven by Conor McGregor
Celebs
Cars Driven by Kylian Mbappé
Celebs
Cars Driven by Neymar Jr.
Celebs

You Might Also Like

News

Lamborghini presents a limited edition ‘All Terrain’ Ad Personam special series of the Huracán Sterrato

By Car Things April 19, 2024
News

Mustang Celebrates 60th Anniversary, Best-Selling Sports Car Globally for 10+ Years

By Car Things April 18, 2024
News

Lamborghini Launches The Huracán STJ, A Limited Edition Of Ten Units

By Car Things April 17, 2024
News

Tiger Wheel & Tyre Launches New X-Sure® Tyre and Wheel Insurance

By Car Things April 17, 2024
News

All-new 2025 INFINITI QX80 reimagines the luxury SUV

By Car Things March 21, 2024
News

Bentley Motors achieves second best financial performance on record due to highest levels of personalisation

By Car Things March 20, 2024

Car Things

Car Things by Nine80 Digital Media

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?