SIYANGA MADIKIZELA

Age: 29

WHO I AM

I am an incredibly passionate person; passionate about life, cars, people, writing, travelling as well as my country. I am also a very ambitious person. This particular trait I get from my mother who has always pushed me to be the best version of myself I can be. I am deeply spiritual and philosophical.

WHAT I DO

My role at Volkswagen South Africa is public relations manager, which entails safeguarding the brand’s reputation in the media, showcasing the amazing products we have in the brand and liaising with the media.

JOURNEY SO FAR

I was born in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape and after my parents got a divorce when I was about 10 years old we moved to Komga and then King William’s Town, which is three hours from Port Elizabeth. I did Grades 8-12 at Kingsridge High School for Girls in King William’s Town. I studied Journalism at Nelson Mandela University where I graduated in 2011. I started at Volkswagen as a trainee in 2011 as part of 15 people in the corporate business programme. I was then selected for the graduate programme in 2013, then I was in corporate communications before moving to PR last year July.

FUTURE PLANS

I have been part of the Volkswagen team for about seven years now and I want to continue my involvement with this great brand, especially when it comes to all the expansion plans we have in sub-Saharan Africa.

WHAT DRIVES ME

Giving back is what drives me. I am passionate about young women and seeing them succeed, this is why I mentor three young, bold and powerful young women.

WHAT I DRIVE

I am now driving the new Polo. As part of my job, I drive all the models in the Volkswagen South Africa fleet. And because Audi is our sister brand, I drive Audis as well.

ON MY AUDIO SYSTEM

I listen mainly to Metro FM, which provides me the required entertainment, current affairs, sport, news and different subject matter that I find interesting. I listen to music like Afro-soul, R&B, gospel, house and gqom.

SA ROADS WOULD BE BETTER IF

If we all drove with compassion and understanding for fellow road users.