Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf), in partnership with Read Education Trust, is transitioning its three-year Rally to Read literacy programme into a sustainability phase, focused on enabling beneficiary schools in Gqeberha to sustain improved literacy outcomes beyond direct programme support.
Now in its third year, the Rally to Read initiative has been successfully implemented at Khulile Primary School, St Albans Primary, and Kayser Ngxwana Primary School. The programme has strengthened foundational literacy through a structured model that combines teacher development, learner support, and community engagement.
The success of the programme is evident at Khulile Primary School in Motherwell, where learner performance in Grade 3 English First Additional Language improved from an average of 58.74% in 2023 to 68.70% in 2025. Grade 4 results also increased from 57.28% to 60.93% over the same period.
The partnership with READ Educational Trust has been central to the programme’s implementation. Interventions have included teacher training, the provision of age-appropriate reading materials, the use of Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) tools to track learner progress, and initiatives that encourage reading at home. Digital literacy support has also been introduced to further enhance learner engagement and outcomes.
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“Through Rally to Read, our focus has been on building a strong literacy foundation while equipping schools with practical tools to sustain progress beyond the programme,” said Nandi Matomela, Department Executive: Corporate Affairs at Isuzu Motors South Africa.
Over the course of the programme, participating schools have demonstrated measurable improvements in literacy outcomes, highlighting the effectiveness of structured support and ongoing engagement. “The improvements achieved over this period reflects the impact of structured, sustained collaboration, highlighting the importance of consistent support, capacity-building, and strong partnerships in driving meaningful change, and we remain committed to ensuring that schools are equipped to sustain and build on this progress over the long term,” added Matomela.
To support sustainability, IMSAf and READ Educational Trust have implemented a structured framework to embed long-term impact through igniting the love for reading. This includes the provision of READ boxes containing books by South African authors, such as Refiloe Moahloli’s We Are One, which explores themes of friendship and ubuntu, and the Sihle Nontshokweni’s Wanda series, which focuses on identity, heritage, self-love, and courage.
“Literacy programmes like Rally to Read do more than improve reading outcomes; they open up worlds, strengthen critical thinking, and empower children to shape their future. By investing in reading, we nurture a confident and capable generation,” said Sihle Nontshokweni, author of the Wanda book series.
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“When children see themselves and their lives reflected in the stories they read, they experience them as a celebration of who they are. Reading books that enable this therefore becomes an exciting and enlightening journey, building self-esteem and self-awareness, affirming their importance and inherent value in society,” said Refiloe Moahloli, author of We Are One.”
Rally to Read forms part of IMSAf’s broader corporate social investment priorities, aligning with national goals to improve education and empower communities. By investing in literacy, IMSAf is contributing to the development of future generations equipped with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
As the programme at the three primary schools enters its independence phase, the focus will shift to consolidating progress and strengthening each school’s ability to sustain and build on the gains achieved. In line with its commitment to continuity, IMSAf will continue supporting the programme while also identifying a new group of beneficiary schools in Nelson Mandela Bay for the next phase of the initiative.
Linda Miranda Nonxuba, Principal of Khulile Primary School, said the programme has had a positive and meaningful impact. “We have seen improved learner confidence, stronger reading outcomes, and inspired learners. The support provided has strengthened our teaching approach, and the school is now better positioned to sustain and build on this progress.”
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Beyond academic outcomes, IMSAf has extended its support beyond the programme through its Adopt-a-School initiative, which has included the refurbishment of St Albans Primary School and the donation of 320 pairs of school shoes to learners at Kayser Ngxwana Primary School. These interventions aim to create a more conducive learning environment, address basic learner needs, and support the overall well-being of learners, enabling them to participate more effectively and confidently in their education.