Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) has extended its collaboration with the Rally to Read initiative for a second year, reinforcing efforts to enhance literacy and educational resources in primary schools across Nelson Mandela Bay. The programme, which forms part of IMSAf’s multi-year strategy to address educational inequities, focuses on teacher development, resource provision, and community engagement.
Since its launch in 2024, the initiative has supported 600 Foundation Phase learners (Grades R–3) at three Gqeberha schools: Khulile Primary in Motherwell, Kaysar Ngxwana Primary in KwaZakhele, and St Albans Primary.
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Classroom resources such as library boxes, digital learning tools, and tailored literacy training for educators have been central to the programme. Celestin Ndhlovu, IMSAf Vice President for Planning, Marketing, and Corporate Affairs, emphasised the value of sustained partnerships: “Collaborating with Rally to Read allows us to address systemic challenges in education by empowering teachers and equipping learners with foundational skills.”
The Rally to Read model, active in multiple South African provinces, has previously partnered with organisations in KwaZulu-Natal to establish mobile libraries in rural districts and in Limpopo to pilot reading camps aimed at improving comprehension among primary school pupils. These initiatives, like IMSAf’s current project, prioritise scalability and adaptability to local contexts.
In Nelson Mandela Bay, school management teams have implemented measures to ensure the programme’s longevity, such as integrating literacy strategies into daily teaching practices.
Sibhekaphi Sibanda, Project Manager at READ Educational Trust, noted the broader vision: “This partnership goes beyond resource provision — it builds institutional capacity to sustain literacy development independently.”
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Building on early outcomes, the 2025 phase will expand to Intermediate and Senior Phase learners (Grades 4–7), introducing digital literacy training for teachers, including workshops on using artificial intelligence to create locally relevant educational content. Parental involvement will also be prioritised, with guidance provided to support home-based learning.
Linda Nonxuba, Principal of Khulile Primary School, reported measurable progress: “Pupils are demonstrating improved reading confidence, while staff have gained practical techniques to address learning gaps.”
As Rally to Read continues to align with national educational goals, IMSAf’s renewed commitment highlights the potential of corporate-community partnerships to foster meaningful, long-term change in South Africa’s literacy landscape.
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