Corporate Citizenship
Arts and Culture
Music for the People. Cars for the People.
Volkswagen of South Africa is the exclusive motor sponsor of South African and International music sensation Freshlyground. As part of the sponsorship, each band member drives a spunky Polo GTI, which is subtly branded, to showcase the partnership. In 2007, the phenomenally successful Freshlyground Volkswagen Summer Tour took the culturally and musically diverse ensemble to all the major centres in the country and over 16,000 people across South Africa enjoyed Freshlyground's first South African tour.
Freshlyground reflects the new optimism apparent in South Africa and its people. Volkswagen believes in the people of South Africa and the incredible contribution that people can play in taking this vibrant country into the future. This sponsorship is a perfect fit between music for the people and cars for the people.
The Band:
- Zolani Mahola – vocals and lyrics
- Josh Hawks – bass guitar
- Aron Turest-Swartz – keyboards, vocals, percussion
- Kyla-Rose Smith – violin
- Simon Attwell – flute, harmonica, mbira (a traditional Zimbabwean instrument)
- Julio Sigauque – guitar
- Peter Cohen – drums
Accolades:
2006 MTV Awards:
Best African Act
2007 Metro Awards:
Best African Pop
Best Group
(They were the only band to receive two awards)
2008 SAMA Awards:
Album of the year - Ma'Cheri
Artist of the year - Freshlyground
Best adult contemporary album - English - Ma'Cheri
Best produced album - JB Arthur, Victor Masondo
