We join Ford South Africa for the annual Rally to Read
I spent the past five days (25 February - 1 March) with Ford South Africa spreading love in the Eastern Cape.
Friday, 25 February, I departed from OR Tambo International Airport and checked in early to get this cool window shot.
I was about to begin my journey with Ford South Africa in collaboration with ‘Rally to Read’ doing good and giving back to the community of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) Eastern Cape.
We landed at Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport to be greeted by the Ford South Africa team alongside our trusted steeds. We drove to ‘Eastern Cape Motors North End Ford’ in Grahamstown, Gqeberha, where we collected more vehicles for our large group but most importantly collected the main reason we were all there. Ford South Africa endorsed underprivileged schools in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape, with a variety of educational materials such as books and a wide range of teaching equipment. The Rally to Read team welcomed us at Eastern Cape Motors North End Ford.
Gqerberha is the Center for the Motor Industry in South Africa. In December 2021 the Ford Motor Company announced an investment of R600 million in the Struandale Engine Plant in Gqerberha. This plant employs approximately 850 people.
The Read Educational Trust (Rally to Read) is a registered NPO (Section 18a NPO and a Level 1 B-BBEE organisation) that organises the Rally with the assistance of its national Lead Partner, The Jonsson Foundation, which funds related costs. This is a 3-year programme in which support and training to teachers is provided within the course of the programme and is conducted in partnership with the Department of Education.
Through provisions of excellent quality reading materials for Grade R to 7 learners, Rally to Read aims to develop the reading and writing skills of learners in remote and rural schools.
Educational materials supplied:
1. Pens: 5 boxes - 1 per school.
2. 40 soccer balls, 20 netballs & 10 rugby balls.
3. Paper & cardboard products:
Costs:
1. Materials being delivered for Foundation Phase - R660 500.
2. Read Trainer(including transport & accommodation) to provide training and support for 10 days per month to 8 rural schools for 10 months of 2022 - R343 000.
3. Management of the programme including support for the trainer, monitoring and evaluation as well as reporting of teacher/school progress - R97 350.
Vehicles used (trusted steeds):
The Ford Everest XLT
The Ford Everest Sport
The Ford Everest Limited
The Ford Ranger Raptor
The Ford Ranger Stormtrak
The Ford Ranger FX4
Schools visited:
1. Nomathamsanqa Primary School - 977 learners
2. Elukholweni Primary School - 217 learners
3. David Vuku Primary school - 503 learners
4. Rocklands Primary school - 320 learners
5. Empumalanga Primary school - 1038 learners
6. Inkuthalo Primary School - 251 learners
7. Mzomtshwa Primary School - 329 learners
8. N B Tshume Primary School - 671 learners
2022 sees Rally to Read celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Our Journey:
We stopped at Nanaga Farmstall for a quick fuel stop and their famous pie and began the journey to our accommodation which was 60 kms away. En route ‘Zuurberg Mountain Village’ we met some gentle wildlife that warmly let us through their land:
Our trusted steeds made it up the bendy mountains with ease arriving at the mountain top to breathtaking views of indigenous vegetation.
Using the FordPass app we preheated our cars and remotely started our engines on a windy Saturday morning, 26 February. With everyone teamed up (4 teams to deliver materials to 2 schools each) and all our cars packed we headed out to our respective schools. I was part of team Red(pink) that went to Rocklands Primary school in Uitenhage and David Vuku Primary school in New Brighton, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape.
Each school welcomed us with bright smiles and well-choreographed dances. I saw myself through every single smile displayed on the children’s faces; I saw hope and a bright future.
Having completed a jam-packed, heartfelt schedule we returned to ‘Zuurberg Mountain Village’ where we spent the night reflecting on the importance of what we have just completed as well as appreciating the views overlooking Addo Elephant National Park. On this day Each team had driven an approximate total distance of 300 kms.
Our journey with Rally to Read had come to an end but we continued travelling through the city of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape, with team Ford South Africa.
Sunday morning, 27 February, I was awoken by a group of monkeys running after each other on my roof. We checked out of ‘Zuurberg Mountain Village’ that morning and drove approximately 350 km’s to our new accommodation in Hogsback.
The routes to Hogsback included majestic sights and rocky roads but nothing our cars couldn’t handle. When we arrived at our accommodation in Hogsback the Ford South Africa Team gave us a complete breakdown on the usage of the FordPass app and Hogsback played host to the nail-biting Carabao Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool (Sunday, 27 February).
Breakfast was served at 08:00 sharp Monday, 28 February but we were up earlier than that for some hiking and a waterfall visit at Madonna & Child Waterfalls. The waterfall's name originates from the outcrop of rock on the face of the falls which forms the shape of a "Mother and Child".
Another 255km journey saw us travel from Hogsback through Amathole District to a small town in Free State called Bethulie. On arrival, we were given the best history lesson of the town accompanied by an informative tour. On this day, 28 February 2022, The Ford South Africa team prepared for the Next Generation Everest virtual launch and world premier which would be the next day at 09:00.
1 March 2022 marked the last day of our journey and at 09:00 am we all streamed the global premiere of the Next Generation Everest at the Gariep Dam. The Gariep Dam is bordering the Free State and Eastern Cape provinces. Its primary purpose is for irrigation, domestic and industrial use as well as for power generation.
After that, we had a few lunch stops in Winburg Free State and was back en route to Johannesburg.
The collaboration of Ford South Africa, Rally to Read and all its contributors ensured everything went well and I was honoured to be part of such an experience. It opened my eyes to many more things and I hope we can continue doing good wherever we can and give back with a smile.
