Ford in collaboration with READ Educational Trust’s Rally to Read, have reinforced their dedication to education by completing the final phase of a three-year project benefiting six schools surrounding the company’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria.
Ford’s enduring partnership with Rally to Read spans more than 25 years and underscores its commitment to improving literacy and educational outcomes in South Africa. “Rally to Read is a reminder of how powerful education can be. Studies by READ show how this initiative is narrowing the reading gap for children in disadvantaged areas and improving their chances for a better future,” said Esther Buthelezi, Government Affairs and Transformation Director, Ford South Africa.
“It’s not just about bringing books and resources to schools. It’s about instilling hope in children, their families and communities, showing them that a brighter future is possible and that we all have a role to play in making it happen,” Buthelezi said.
The Rally to Read Project has significantly shaped South Africa’s educational landscape by delivering much-needed reading resources, teacher training in language methodologies and digital literacy, as well as parental engagement in their children’s learning. These efforts are carried out in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, the School Management Team (SMT), and the School Governing Body (SGB), ensuring that educators receive continued training and support from READ field staff.
“It is truly heart-warming to see the positive impact that this project has on the children each year that we return to the schools over the three-year cycle,” Buthelezi added. “The improved literacy levels and the love of reading are evident in the learners, while teachers are better equipped with the skills and tools to provide effective education through each learning phase.”
Ford employees and local media actively participated in delivering academic materials to the following schools: Zamintuthuko Primary School and Boikgantso Primary School in Mamelodi; Nellmapius Ext 6 and Vukauzenzele Primary School in Nellmapius; Nantes Primary School and PS Fourie Primary School in Eersterust.
A convoy of Ford vehicles, including Ranger bakkies that are proudly produced at Ford’s Silverton Manufacturing Plant – which is largely staffed by employees from these surrounding communities – transported donated libraries, educational materials, and teaching resources to the schools, where principals, teachers, parents, and learners warmly received the goods with gratitude and enthusiasm.
The programme includes digital literacy tools, such as smart projectors, to ensure up-to-date teaching methods and interactive learning experiences that build essential 21st-century skills.
Ford’s support for Rally to Read has spanned more than a quarter of a century, helping raise awareness about the importance of reading comprehension and literacy development. Each school involved is supported for a minimum of three years, with ongoing teacher training and development.
Studies have shown that Rally to Read participation significantly narrows the reading gap for children in under-resourced and rural communities. The programme’s recent expansion into digital literacy has further modernised teaching methods, equipping both teachers and learners with critical skills.
“This is more than merely a corporate initiative for Ford. It’s a reflection of our deep commitment to supporting education and empowering communities,” Buthelezi said.