The ONE company accelerating reading amidst SA’s literacy crisis

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In a bid to boost the country’s literacy, Ford South Africa, together with Rally to Read, has delivered books to schools in two provinces. The initiative hopes to address South Africa’s concerning literacy statistics, which has more than 80% of Grade 4 learners struggling to read for comprehension. Ford South Africa visited eight schools in Gqeberha and six in Pretoria recently, providing much-needed resources to help improve literacy rates.

5 February 2025 marked the 15th anniversary of World Read Aloud Day. And South African Library Week ran from March 17-23. However, according to a recent Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), 80% of Grade 4 learners still cannot read for meaning in South Africa. Worse still, this literacy statistic has remained unchanged for more than a decade. Due to a combination of challenges in the education sector and economic hardships, millions of children are without the foundational skills they need to thrive.

LITERACY IN CRISIS IN SOUTH AFRICA

More than 80% of Grade 4 learners struggle to read for comprehension. Image: Ford South Africa

Therefore, Ford South Africa, in partnership with the READ Educational Trust, is tackling the country’s literacy crisis through support of Rally to Read. Since 1998, this initiative has provided vital educational resources and teacher training to underserved schools. Last week 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. Thus, ensuring learners and teachers receive sustained assistance to educate and uplift kids in their community.

These schools will benefit from a literacy programme designed not just to provide books but to fundamentally improve reading proficiency. Speaking at the programme in the Eastern Cape, Esther Buthelezi, Director of Government Affairs and Transformation at Ford South Africa, highlighted the significance of their efforts: “Walking into the schools and seeing the excitement of both learners and teachers reinforces why this progamme matters. This is where the transformation begins – with a book in a child’s hands and a teacher with the right tools and training. We are not just delivering resources, we are laying the foundation for long-term change. Every child needs the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed,” said Buthelezi.

GRASS ROOTS COMMITTMENT

Furthermore, the Eastern Cape is deeply embedded in Ford South Africa’s legacy. Not only is it the home of the Struandale Engine Plant in Gqeberha, but it’s where the company’s journey in the country began back in 1923. For more than a century, Ford has woven the economic and industrial fabric of the country, creating jobs, driving innovation, and investing in the future. This deep-rooted connection makes its 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.