1 March 2023, Tshwane: The high rate of unemployment among South Africa’s youth has long been a cause for alarm, with millions of young people struggling to find work and secure a stable income.

 

Underscoring the depths of the problem, Statistics South Africa figures from the third quarter of 2022 revealed, for example, that more than four in every ten (44%) of all South Africans between the ages of 15 and 34 years were not in employment, education or training (NEET).

 

In response to the issue, Legacy Motor Group (LMG) teamed up with the Youth Employment Service (YES) in 2022 to launch a new programme for youth to gain the necessary work experience needed to thrive and excel in their chosen careers, beginning with a cohort of 16 talented new graduates from across Pretoria and Johannesburg.

 

As South Africa’s first 100% black-owned automotive retail group which currently represents five BMW dealerships in Menlyn, Montana, Rustenburg, Polokwane and Joburg City, this programme was naturally aligned with LMG’s focus on empowerment and creating a transformed, sustainable business for the future.

 

“The YES initiative is playing a crucial role in our society by creating opportunities for young individuals and empowering them with the skills they need to successfully enter and flourish in the workplace,” says Edward Makwana, General Manager of Public Relations, Marketing and Customer Experience at LMG.

 

“Likewise, LMG is proud to drive empowerment and job creation within the communities in which we operate, which made the partnership a natural fit.

 

“I strongly believe that the success of our business to date has not only been determined by the support of our customers and the high calibre of our employees, but also by our positive impact on society. LMG lives by the Sesotho proverb, ‘Motho ke motho ka batho,’ which means that we are who we are because of people.”

 

As part of the twelve-month LMG programme, the YES students were each assigned to mentors and managers in various divisions of the company, providing each individual with meaningful daily tasks and holistic, quality workplace experiences to enhance their skills and employability.

 

One such participant, Elton Tshezi, who has just been offered a permanent position as Approved Used Cars Assistant at BMW Montana, says, “Being introduced into the automotive industry through this programme has changed my career trajectory and life, as I have been given the opportunity to work with a product and brand that I have always loved.

 

“The experience, skills, and knowledge I have gained under the leadership and support of managers and colleagues has been invaluable.”

 

In addition to creating new job opportunities, LMG’s partnership with YES has demonstrated the importance of creating a culture of empowerment and transformation, setting an example for other companies to follow and demonstrating the value of investing in young talent.

 

“I’ve learned to handle high-pressure situations, improved my communication skills, and have developed as a person. I have especially enjoyed dealing with such a wide variety of different customers,” said another YES participant, Mirriam Gwebu. Gwebu joined the Customer Experience team at the BMW Montana dealership in February 2022.

 

“Not only have I gained work experience, but I have been exposed to a variety of experiences and skills within an industry I have always been interested in. I have had a positive and extremely empowering experience being part of this programme.”

 

Finally, in addition to providing mentorship and skills development, LMG’s programme has also emphasised soft skills development, which is vital for assisting youth to successfully climb their future career ladders.

 

“I never imagined that this opportunity would lead me here, and I am inspired by how different parts of the business synergise and work together towards a common goal. I don’t just love the delicious coffee and luxury high-end vehicles, but I have learned to be more adaptable and take change in my stride,” said a third participant, Thierry Sewcharan, who has since been permanently employed as a Digital Marketing Specialist within the Group.

 

Mpho Dipela, Chairman and shareholder of Legacy Motor Group, emphasises that with continued effort and investment in programmes like these, it is possible to empower young people and unlock their full potential, ultimately driving economic growth and accelerating the transformation of the automotive industry.

 

“LMG recognises the importance of uplifting young people, who are often the beacon of hope in their families and communities. By working with the YES programme, we are not only hoping to address the high rate of youth unemployment, but we are also contributing to the growth and development of the country’s future workforce,” states Dipela.

 

“We are excited to be part of this important initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the lives of more young South Africans who are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.”

ENDS/

About Legacy Motor Group (LMG): 

Legacy Motor Group (LMG) is a 100% black-owned automotive retail company in South Africa offering unique automotive retail solutions and services. With its headquarters in Montana, Pretoria / City of Tshwane, the company was founded in 2008 and currently operates a motor trading division that represents five BMW dealerships (BMW Menlyn, BMW Montana, BMW Joburg City, BMW Rustenburg and BMW Polokwane) and three MINI dealerships (MINI Menlyn, MINI Montana and MINI Joburg City). BMW Group brands represented by LMG at present include BMW, BMW i, BMW M, BMW Motorrad (BMW Motorcycles) and MINI (new and approved pre-owned cars).

 

Other divisions of LMG include LMG Approved Repair Centre (trading as Zambesi Approved Repair Centre), LMG Pre-Owned, LMG Prestige and LMG Tyre and Rim. This enables LMG to offer ‘The Power of ONE’ – a unique service in the South African automotive retail industry.

 

At present, the company employs just over 400 employees – men and women who cumulatively carry automotive DNA with passion and constantly strive to offer the best service as well as test the boundaries of automotive innovation.

 

For more information visit our about us page

 

For media and general queries, please contact:

Mr Edward Makwana

General Manager: Customer Experience, Public Relations and Marketing

Legacy Motor Group (LMG)

Email: edward.makwana@lmg.co.za