PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA, 19 March 2025 – As the global community marked the 15th anniversary of World Read Aloud Day on 5 February 2025, the urgency of addressing South Africa’s literacy crisis has never been clearer. According to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), a staggering 81 percent of Grade 4 learners in the country still cannot read for meaning—an alarming statistic that has remained unchanged for over a decade. In response to this critical challenge, Ford South Africa has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to literacy development through its continued support of the Rally to Read initiative.
In partnership with the READ Educational Trust, Ford South Africa is embarking on a new three-year cycle to uplift literacy levels in eight schools across the Eastern Cape. This builds upon the successful completion of its previous three-year commitment to six schools near its Silverton Manufacturing Plant in Pretoria, demonstrating the company’s sustained investment in education as a catalyst for social and economic change.
Driving Change Through Literacy
Ford South Africa’s latest commitment will benefit four schools in Nelson Mandela Bay and another four in the Sarah Baartman district. These schools will receive not only books and portable classroom libraries but also crucial teacher training to ensure sustainable improvements in literacy. This initiative follows a prior three-year cycle in Nelson Mandela Bay, which supported eight schools in Gqeberha and Kariega, leaving a lasting impact on both learners and educators.
Speaking at the launch of the Eastern Cape programme, Esther Buthelezi, Director of Government Affairs and Transformation at Ford South Africa, underscored 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 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.”
Building a Legacy of Learning
The Eastern Cape holds a special place in Ford South Africa’s history, as the home of the Struandale Engine Plant in Gqeberha and the birthplace of the company’s journey in South Africa in 1923. Over the past century, Ford has been deeply embedded in the region’s industrial and economic landscape, creating jobs, driving innovation, and investing in community development. The company’s commitment to education aligns with its broader mission of fostering future leaders, engineers, and business visionaries who will shape South Africa’s economic trajectory.
Encouragingly, the Eastern Cape’s matric pass rate has shown steady improvement, reflecting the resilience and dedication of learners and educators. However, early literacy remains a fundamental building block for long-term academic success. Ford’s investment in Rally to Read underscores its belief that education is the key to unlocking opportunities and breaking the cycle of poverty.
A Commitment to Pretoria’s Future
In addition to its work in the Eastern Cape, Ford has successfully concluded its three-year Rally to Read programme in Pretoria, benefiting six schools in Mamelodi, Nellmapius, and Eersterus. These communities are closely linked to Ford’s Silverton Manufacturing Plant, which produces the globally acclaimed Ford Ranger and provides employment to thousands of South Africans. By equipping young learners with essential literacy skills, Ford is not only fostering a culture of reading but also laying the groundwork for future careers in the automotive industry.
“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 added.
Transforming Lives, One Book at a Time
For the children in under-resourced schools, Rally to Read represents more than just an educational programme—it is a gateway to new possibilities. Research has shown that children in rural areas who typically have a reading age of seven by the time they reach 14 see significant improvement through targeted interventions. By placing books in their hands and providing teachers with essential training, Ford is empowering the next generation with the skills they need to thrive.
As former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan once said, “Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.” Through sustained investment and meaningful partnerships, Ford South Africa is helping to build that bridge—one learner, one school, and one book at a time.
