By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Isuzu Motors South Africa and READ Educational Trust are moving their three-year Rally to Read literacy programme into a sustainability phase after reporting improved literacy results at three Gqeberha primary schools.
The programme, implemented at Khulile Primary School, St Albans Primary and Kayser Ngxwana Primary School, has focused on teacher development, learner support, reading materials, community engagement and tools to track learner progress.
At Khulile Primary School in Motherwell, Grade 3 English First Additional Language marks improved from an average of 58.74% in 2023 to 68.70% in 2025, while Grade 4 results rose from 57.28% to 60.93% over the same period, according to the statement.
“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.
The programme has included teacher training, age-appropriate books, Early Grade Reading Assessment tools, home-reading initiatives and digital literacy support.
“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,” Matomela said.
As the schools enter an independence phase, the focus will shift to consolidating gains and strengthening each school’s ability to continue improving literacy outcomes without direct programme support.
Isuzu said it would continue supporting the initiative while identifying a new group of beneficiary schools in Nelson Mandela Bay for the next phase.
To support the sustainability phase, Isuzu and READ Educational Trust are providing READ boxes containing books by South African authors, including Refiloe Moahloli’s We Are One and Sihle Nontshokweni’s Wanda series.
“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 Nontshokweni.
Moahloli said representation in children’s books was important for building confidence.
“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,” she said.
Linda Miranda Nonxuba, principal of Khulile Primary School, said the programme had made a meaningful difference.
“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.”
Isuzu said its broader support for schools had also included the refurbishment of St Albans Primary School and the donation of 320 pairs of school shoes to learners at Kayser Ngxwana Primary School through its Adopt-a-School initiative.
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