Ford and its dealers spend 8,000 hours on community work across South Africa

Ford's dealerships were doing more than selling and servicing cars during September. Across the country, employees and dealer staff spent time at schools, feeding schemes, children's homes and organisations supporting people with disabilities.

The work formed part of Ford's 2026 Global Caring Month programme. By the end of the month, 29 community projects had been completed, with employees and dealership partners contributing more than 8,000 volunteer hours. Food was also a major part of the programme. Ford collected more than 36 tonnes through donations from its dealerships and employees.

What the teams worked on

At the Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, employees helped with food gardens, classroom improvements and care facilities. The company's Policy Team also visited Botho Botjha Training Centre in the Vaal, where it worked on the centre's facilities and donated wheelchairs and first aid kits. In Gqeberha, the Struandale Engine Plant team spent time at Emsengeni Primary School, Coega Primary School and Gamble Street Secondary School. The work included improving school facilities and helping with a food garden.

Other organisations supported during the month included Bet Sheekoom House of Restoration for Women in Crisis and Siyaphambili Disabled Community Project. The projects varied depending on what each organisation needed. Some required repairs and equipment, while others needed help with food gardens and basic supplies.

Dealerships got involved too

Ford's dealer network took on projects in the communities where its businesses operate. Hatfield Motor Group worked on vegetable gardens and shade structures at Johannesburg Children's Home. Ben Morgenrood provided food, repairs and skills-training equipment to Connie Mulder Centre.

In KwaZulu-Natal, CMH Ford Umhlanga donated football equipment to rural schools through Namenyi Project Hope. NMI Ford N1 City supported surfing equipment and coaching through The Kamvalethu Foundation. In the Free State, Human Auto Bloemfontein worked with ENGO Free State to prepare meal kits for more than 220 families. Sentracor supported a feeding scheme serving around 500 people. These are examples of dealerships using their local presence to support organisations that are already working with families and communities.

More than 36 tonnes of food collected

The food drive produced one of the programme's biggest contributions. Dealerships collected 33,962.05kg of food, while employees added another 2,454.35kg through internal collections. Together, the donations came to 36,416.4kg.

Human Auto Welkom collected 8,268kg, the highest amount among the dealerships. CMH Kempster Ford Umhlanga followed with 7,500kg, while Nelspruit Ford collected 2,700kg. Human Auto Welkom also worked with local businesses and donors to prepare food hampers for charities, schools and families. The dealership estimated that its contribution helped provide food to 4,218 people.

The role of the dealer network

Ford runs Global Caring Month every September. In South Africa, the programme is known as Ford Building Together and involves employees from its operations as well as dealerships.

The dealer network gives the programme reach beyond Ford's own plants. Dealerships are spread across different towns and cities, and their employees often have direct links with local organisations. This year's projects included school repairs, food collections, sports equipment, support for disability organisations and assistance to families. For the dealerships involved, it meant putting staff time and resources into work that had little to do with selling their next vehicle. The results were measured in food collected, facilities improved and organisations receiving practical assistance.