Newly-built Welcome Centre unveiled at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital.

Ga-Rankuwa. BMW Group South Africa revealed a recent milestone in its contribution to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The company unveiled a newly-built Welcome Centre at the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa, north-west of Pretoria, Gauteng. The Welcome Centre is the new main entrance to the hospital.

Long-term commitment to South Africa.

At the height of the Coronavirus crisis in 2020, BMW Group South Africa, in partnership with the German Federal Government, the Deutsche Gesellschaft f ür Internationale Zusammenarbeit (German Corporation for International Cooperation/ GIZ), and the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) committed to a R76m investment in eight healthcare facilities in Gauteng. These healthcare facilities would receive upgrades and equipment in line with BMW Group South Africa’s support of community-based health care services.

Welcome to Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital.

A long-standing investor in South Africa and its people, BMW Group South Africa initially planned to upgrade the accident and emergency facilities at the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH), but later committed to its greater refurbishment by constructing the Welcome Centre. The premium vehicle manufacturer also donated an ambulance and 300 beds that were distributed to the hospital’s cluster in Pretoria.

Speaking at the centre’s official ribbon-cutting ceremony, CEO of BMW Group South Africa, Peter van Binsbergen said: “The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a pivot to greater support of healthcare initiatives. We gladly heeded the call, collaborating with the German and South African governments, GIZ, and the provincial Department of Health, to bring about significant change. We have achieved incredible targets that are of true social value and impact in these communities. We hope that the hospital continues to provide refuge for those affected by the pandemic.”   

BMW Group South Africa concludes its work at DGMAH and its COVID-19 and healthcare initiatives but continues its focus on education. The company remains committed to the upliftment of South Africa and the Soshanguve, Hammanskraal, Ga-Rankuwa and Mabopane communities of Pretoria, where many of its BMW Group Plant Rosslyn associates live.   

Today’s unveiling follows that of the overflow facility that BMW Group South Africa helped construct at Bronkhorstspruit Hospital in May 2021. It is the largest of the company’s hospital projects with a 150-bed capacity structure.  

There is no premium without sustainability.

The COVID-19 pandemic remains a challenge that South Africans must overcome together, through combined efforts such as the investment made by BMW Group South Africa and GIZ. In 2020, BMW Group partnered with the South African and German governments and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the former Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation, Gerd Müller; BMW Group CEO, Oliver Zipse; and former Head of the Gauteng Department of Health, Professor Mkhululi Lukhele.

On this collaboration, Gauteng MEC for Health Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi commented: “This partnership is reflective of the hope, optimism and solidarity required to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We need more compassionate leaders in all facets of society. The work of BMW Group South Africa and valued partners at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital is an example of the necessary response to an overwhelmed healthcare system. It is the type of social solidarity espoused by the National Health Insurance.” 

MEC Mokgethi further pointed out that the Welcome Centre will go a long way to improving patients’ experience of care, and drastically reduce the volume of people going to the hospital’s accident and emergency department by ensuring that they are correctly referred to relevant service points.

BMW Group South Africa partnered with the South African Red Cross Society to provide 17 BMW X3 vehicles in aid of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company also provided more than 40,000 protective respiratory face masks to the GDoH. 

If you have any queries regarding this press release, please contact:

Head: BMW Group South Africa Group Communications and External Affairs

Deena Govender

Mobile No.: +27-71-666-2017

e-Mail: Deena.Govender@bmw.co.za

Spokesperson: Gauteng MEC for Health

Kwara Kekana

Mobile No.:082 737 7227

e-mail: mediaenquiries@gauteng.gov.za