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.”
Dragonblood
James Endersby has grown research and insights agency, Opinium Research, from a small London start-up to an international insight agency with clients all over the world, including South Africa. His business grew 50 percent last year, and won an international research award for its work with the London School of Economics measuring democratic engagement around the world. Endersby helps build better futures for children from the poorest countries in the world in his postition as Interim Chairman for Street Kids International.