Isuzu Motors South Africa has marked National Literacy Week by highlighting the measurable impact of its three-year, R3 million literacy investment in partnership with READ Educational Trust, which has reached 1,390 learners across three schools in Nelson Mandela Bay to strengthen foundational literacy.
During National Literacy Week activities held from 7 to 9 September, learners at Khulile Primary School, St Albans Primary School and Kayser Ngxwana Primary School demonstrated literacy in action through reading, storytelling, spelling bees, poetry, drama and book reviews. The activities gave learners an opportunity to showcase their developing literacy skills, confidence, creativity and communication abilities while also reflecting the importance of literacy as a foundation for inclusion, lifelong learning and stronger future opportunities.
The literacy investment responded to one of South Africa’s most urgent education challenges: approximately 81% of Grade 4 learners are unable to read for meaning. Against this backdrop, IMSAf’s sustained support for its three beneficiary schools: Khulile Primary School, Kayser Ngxwana Primary School and St Albans Primary School demonstrated how targeted, long-term education investment can help strengthen foundational literacy outcomes.
“Improving literacy requires more than putting books into classrooms. It requires sustained investment in teachers, resources and learning environments that give children the opportunity to develop strong foundations for lifelong learning,” says Nandi Matomela, Department Executive: Corporate Affairs at Isuzu Motors South Africa.
Over the past three years, the programme has provided 30 library book boxes with approximately over 500 books (written by South African authors), reading materials, educator development, literacy assessment tools, digital literacy resources and reading-at-home initiatives. Delivered through books, teacher development, literacy assessments, digital resources and reading-at-home initiatives, these interventions have supported improved reading confidence, classroom participation and academic performance, while building both learner capability and school capacity, ensuring that progress continues beyond the initial investment period.
“Through our partnership with READ Educational Trust, we are proud to support schools in building the confidence, capability and curiosity learners need to thrive. Their progress reminds us that literacy is not only about reading words on a page, but about opening the gateway to imagination and new ideas.”
Collectively, the three schools increased their average English First Additional Language pass marks for Grade 3 by 15%, and for Grade 4 by 8%, when comparing the 2023 baseline average per school to the 2025 results. A significant achievement to note is the 10% improvement in Grade 3 English First Additional Language average pass marks at Khulile Primary School in Motherwell, from 58.74% in 2023 to 68.70% in 2025, and at St Albans Primary School, from 54.02% in 2024 to 64.90% in 2025.
The impact extends beyond academic results. As learners develop stronger reading comprehension, vocabulary and fluency, they are becoming more confident in expressing themselves, participating in lessons and engaging with subjects across the curriculum, including Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
This growing confidence is also reflected in achievements across all three schools. Earlier this year, Kayser Ngxwana Primary School’s Grow Smart Literacy and Maths Team secured first place at the Eastern Cape Spelling Bee competition in King William’s Town, while one of its Grade 3 learners placed second in a separate spelling bee competition. At Khulile Primary School, learners have excelled in reading, spelling and storytelling competitions, including placing third in the Alex Matikinca Annual Reading Competition, progressing in the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE) Spelling Bee, advancing to regional level in the Grow Smart Storytelling and Spelling Bee competitions, and being recognised at the Metro Reading Festival. At St Albans Primary School, a Grade 5 learner marked a particularly meaningful milestone by participating in the school’s Independent Writing and Poetry project, writing her own original poem and confidently reading it to educators.
The provision of culturally relevant storybooks by South African authors has also helped make reading more engaging and relatable for learners. As their vocabulary and comprehension improve, learners are better equipped to tackle word problems, participate in classroom discussions and communicate their ideas with greater clarity.
As the three current beneficiary schools transition into the sustainability phase, Isuzu Motors South Africa is identifying the next group of schools in Nelson Mandela Bay to benefit from the programme, extending the impact of its education investment to more learners and school communities.
The continued investment reflects the company’s commitment to education, community development and creating stronger foundations for young people through its mission of creating a better life with better transport.
