The 15th anniversary of World Read Aloud Day, observed on 5 February 2025, serves as a stark reminder of the literacy crisis in South Africa. The reality is that according to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), 81 percent of Grade 4 learners still cannot read for meaning, an alarming statistic that has remained unchanged for over a decade*. A combination of challenges in the education sector, economic hardships, and constrained support systems has left millions of children without the foundational skills they need to thrive. The urgency for sustainable, long-term interventions has never been greater.
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.
Last weekend 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. This follows the previous three-year project in Nelson Mandela Bay that assisted eight schools in and around Gqeberha and Kariega. These schools will benefit from a programme designed not just to provide books but to fundamentally improve literacy levels through structured and long-term interventions.
Speaking at the programme in the Eastern Cape, 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.
The Eastern Cape is deeply embedded in Ford South Africa’s legacy, not only as the home of the Struandale Engine Plant in Gqeberha but also as the place where Ford’s journey in the country began in 1923. For more than a century, Ford has been part of the region’s economic and industrial fabric, creating jobs, driving innovation, and investing in the future of South African communities. This deep-rooted connection makes the company’s involvement in education all the more meaningful, as it continues to play an active role in shaping the next generation of leaders, engineers, and visionaries.
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.
As former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan once said, "Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope." For many children in under-resourced communities, Rally to Read represents that bridge, opening doors to a world of possibilities. Education is one of the most powerful tools to break the cycle of poverty, and by placing books in the hands of children and equipping teachers with the right resources, Ford is helping to build a future where literacy is not a privilege, but a right for every child.
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.