- VWGA employees joined hands to plant more than 1 500 indigenous trees, bulbs and succulents to support biodiversity at Plant Kariega
- Volkswagen’s Plant Kariega is home to three rare and critically endangered plant species
In a display of environmental stewardship, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) commemorated International Biodiversity Day on Friday, 30 May 2025 with a tree-planting initiative.
The tree planting initiative reinforces the company’s commitment to protecting and enhancing biodiversity both within the Plant and in the Kariega community.
“The tree-planting event is particularly significant this year as it marks the launch of VWGA’s biodiversity strategy which encompasses the preservation and restoration of rare and critically endangered species that are found on our property,” said Ntsapokazi Ningiza, Environmental Sustainability Manager at VWGA.
Two of these species, namely the, Delosperma hollandii which is found near the VWGA Test Track and Component Plant as well as the Trichodiadema stayneri, also identified within the VWGA Test Track, may possibly be extinct while the Tritonia dubia, which is in the Production Development facility, is a threatened species.
In addition to protecting these rare species, the tree-planting initiative introduced new indigenous plants to Plant Kariega like White Milkwood, Wild Plum, Cross Berry and the Cape Ash. These contribute to VWGA’s plans of establishing an Arboretum, which will be home to a variety of indigenous trees thereby enriching biodiversity and contributing to ecological balance.
“This is about more than just planting trees,” said Martina Biene, VWGA Chairperson and Managing Director. “It’s about acknowledging the unique biodiversity we are privileged to host and taking meaningful action to protect it. Our employees’ involvement across different locations at Plant Kariega speaks volumes about our shared values and our commitment to sustainability,” added Biene.
Among those who attended the tree planting initiative was Luc Strydom, a Principal Ecologist at Coastal and Environmental Services, who was commissioned by VWGA in 2024 to conduct a species identification across all locations at Plant Kariega.
His report confirmed the discovery of the three rare and critically endangered species at Plant Kariega. “When VWGA called me to do a species assessment, I was thrilled to find these rare species. These species are possibly extinct due to habitat loss to urban and industrial development, and the ones that have been found on these premises need to be protected to safeguard biodiversity, and maintain healthy ecosystems. I am equally pleased to witness the company’s commitment to biodiversity,” said Strydom.
