Johannesburg, 6 October 2025 – As GWM South Africa celebrates 18 years in South Africa, the company is reaffirming its long-term commitment to the country by supporting literacy through its partnership with READ Educational Trust through the Rally to Read Programme.
South Africa faces a critical reading crisis, with recent assessments showing that 81% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning, limiting educational progression, employment opportunities, and broader socio-economic development. Literacy is increasingly recognised as critical national infrastructure, with long-term implications for economic growth and social equity. The World Literacy Foundation estimates that illiteracy costs South Africa’s economy approximately R199 billion annually, largely due to reduced earning capacity and associated social costs, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions.
Building on its global experience in education initiatives, GWM South Africa is localising this approach to tackle literacy gaps in a partnership that will combine teacher support, infrastructure development and community engagement. The partnership will see the company work closely with teachers, parents and communities to improve reading outcomes, empower educators and provide children with the tools to succeed.
“This 18-year milestone is more than a celebration,” said Floyd Ramabulana, GWM SA Head of Marketing. It represents our commitment to South Africa’s future. Investing in literacy is investing in the nation. Every child who learns to read contributes to the country’s long-term growth and social development.”
“Partnerships like this are what we need to scale literacy interventions,” said Brand Pretorius, Rally to Read Founder. “When corporates, communities and schools work together, we create sustainable impact that reaches far beyond the classroom.”
Through Rally to Read, GWM is providing targeted support to under-resourced schools in Tembisa, Midrand and surrounding communities, ensuring interventions go beyond books to include teacher training, learning materials and structured follow-ups to measure real impact.
“Education is not an optional infrastructure,” Ramabulana added. “Public-private partnerships are critical to addressing the literacy challenges facing the country. This initiative forms a key milestone in GWM South Africa’s long-term country plan, pairing business growth with meaningful societal impact. Over the next several years, the company plans to expand its interventions to ensure sustainable outcomes for children and communities alike.”
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Vuyo Fata
About GWM
GWM South Africa is the official distributor of GWM, HAVAL, ORA, and TANK vehicles, offering a dynamic range across the SUV, bakkie, electric, and 4x4 segments. Backed by a global presence in over 170 markets, GWM is committed to delivering smart, reliable, and future-forward mobility tailored to South African lifestyles.
For more information, visit www.gwm.co.za
About READ Group
READ Educational Trust
The READ Educational Trust and its associated entities are one of the first literacy organisations in South Africa. Founded in 1979, READ continues to lead literacy advocacy efforts and provides targeted interventions to address low literacy levels in South Africa, specifically in remote and under-resourced schools.
Initially, the acronym "READ" stood for "Read, Educate, and Develop," aligning with its core mission to improve educational outcomes. Over the years, READ's scope has broadened to include a wider range of initiatives/projects aimed at enhancing reading, writing, learning, and communication skills for learners across Southern Africa.
For more information, visit: https://readsa.org.za/
