Mar 24, 2025 Ford South Africa, Esther Buthelezi, READ Educational Trust, Rally to Read.
Ford reinforces commitment to literacy as support for Rally to Read expands in 2025
Ford South Africa, in partnership with the READ Educational Trust, is tackling the country’s literacy crisis through its long-standing support of Rally to Read. Since 1998, this initiative has provided vital educational resources and teacher training to underserved schools, empowering thousands of children with the tools for a brighter future.
March marked the start of a new three-year cycle of support for four schools in Nelson Mandela Bay and a further four schools in the Sarah Baartman district, ensuring that learners and teachers receive sustained assistance and reinforcing Ford’s commitment to education and community upliftment. Esther Buthelezi, Director of Government Affairs and Transformation at Ford South Africa, highlighted the significance of this initiative. “Walking into the schools and seeing the excitement on the faces of both learners and teachers reinforces why this initiative matters. This is where the transformation begins – with a book in a child’s hands and a teacher empowered with the right tools and training.
We are not just delivering resources today; we are laying the foundation for long-term change, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.”
The programme provides not only books, portable classroom libraries and stationery but also critical teacher training to help educators build strong literacy foundations for their students. Past studies have shown that rural children who would typically have a reading age of seven by the time they reach 14 see rapid improvement through Rally to Read’s interventions.
Encouragingly, the Eastern Cape’s matric pass rate showed a positive increase last year, reflecting the resilience and determination of learners and educators across the province. However, early childhood education remains a crucial factor in sustaining this progress and ensuring long-term success. By investing in initiatives like Rally to Read, Ford is reinforcing its unwavering commitment to the region, giving young learners the fundamental literacy skills they need to excel and contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s future.
This year, Ford successfully completed the final phase of its three-year Rally to Read project in Pretoria, marking another significant milestone in its commitment to literacy development. The initiative has benefited six schools across Mamelodi, Nellmapius, and Eersterus, equipping both learners and teachers with essential resources to foster a culture of reading. These communities are deeply connected to Ford’s Silverton Manufacturing Plant, which builds the Ford Ranger and provides employment opportunities to thousands in the region. “By investing in education today, we are investing in the future workforce. Many of these young learners could one day be part of the Ford ecosystem – whether as engineers, technicians, or business leaders shaping the automotive industry,” Buthelezi said. Through sustained investment and meaningful partnerships, the initiative continues to make a measurable impact, one learner, one school and one book at a time.
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