Soshanguve learners race into the future with MINI.

Soshanguve , Pretoria – Learners from the Soshanguve Technical High School made virtual racing history on Friday, 26th June at the inaugural MINI iSchoolAfrica Street Race. The event, which was hosted by MINI South Africa, iGlobe and iSchoolAfrica, involved 200 Grade 10 learners racing iPad controlled MINI model cars across a specially designed racetrack.

But the event was not all about racing. The learners at the Soshanguve Technical High School were challenged to design and build a fully functional MINI model using recyclable materials over a four-day programme and afterwards enter the car into a street race where iPads were used to navigate and race the cars through a race track they built themselves.

“Creativity, passion, innovation and design are the foundations of the MINI brand. As an exciting and unconventional brand it makes sense for us to partner with a like-minded project like iSchoolAfrica to empower young people,” said Kabelo Rabotho, General Manager of MINI South Africa.

“This programme challenges the learners’ thinking and exposes them to a world outside of their realities to ensure that they’re ultimately empowered with invaluable life skills like leadership, communication skills, team work, problem solving and self-awareness during the process,” concluded Rabotho.

MINI and iSchoolAfrica have been in partnership since 2011, with the aim of establishing a programme that empowers teachers and learners by giving them access to the world’s most advanced educational technology and classroom practices.

The partnership supports five schools in Gauteng namely: Jeppe High School for Girls, The National School of the Arts, Dominican Convent, Buhlebuzile Secondary and Sijabulile Secondary Schools.

Soshanguve Technical High School is the latest member to the programme, and the first school to be afforded the opportunity to design and build a MINI model car that can be driven with the aid of an iPad.

“This programme puts the Soshanguve Technical High School on the cutting edge of teaching and learning by prioritising the practical aspects of the curriculum. This presents a shift from the conventional focus on theoretical learning and we are exceptionally proud to be a part of it,” said Mr Lesiba Teffo, Principal at Soshanguve Technical High School.

For further information visit www.ischoolafrica.com or www.mini.co.za or follow @ischoolafrica and @MINISouthAfrica on Twitter

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For any questions on this press release, please contact BMW South Africa’s Group Communications Division as follows:

Thando Pato

Manager: Product Communications (MINI, BMW i and BMW Motorrad)

BMW Group South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Email: thando.pato@bmw.co.za

Tel: +27-12-522-2070

Mobile: +27-72-232-5624

The BMW Group

With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 30 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2014, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.118 million cars and 123,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2014 was approximately € 8.71 billion on revenues amounting to € 80.40 billion. As of 31 December 2014, the BMW Group had a workforce of 116,324 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

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