The Rally to Read Project Team coordinates the planning, administration and implementation support required to deliver literacy projects in schools across South Africa. Working closely with READ trainers, schools, donors and partners, the team helps ensure that Rally to Read’s work is implemented effectively, responsibly and with a clear focus on improving literacy outcomes for learners in under-resourced communities.
Sibhekaphi brings a strong background in education, social development, counselling and monitoring and evaluation to her role as Project Manager for Rally to Read. Her experience enables her to support both the educational and community-development aspects of the programme, ensuring that project implementation remains focused on strengthening literacy, empowering teachers and creating meaningful impact in schools.
Veruschka brings 14 years of project coordination experience to Rally to Read, with skills in administration, finance, leadership and communication. She supports the smooth running of project processes, helping to ensure that activities are well organised, properly documented and effectively coordinated across the Rally to Read programme.
BSc in Biology and Geography, and PGCE. Brings a strong grounding in data collection, classroom-based assessments. Skilled in tracking programme impact through gathered evidence to support programme outcomes, and in gathering ground-level feedback through Parental Support Training workshops. Passionate about using data and evidence to strengthen literacy outcomes, empower young people, and build sustainable, measurable reading cultures in South African schools
Trainers deliver school-based training, classroom support, mentoring and coaching for teachers – helping them implement effective literacy and language teaching methods. Trainers also support school management, helping principals and school leadership teams to embed, manage and sustain effective literacy practices.
The Vital Role of Our Support Committee Volunteers
The success of our Rally is largely attributed to the dedicated members of our Support Committee. These volunteers bring a diverse range of skills and expertise, each contributing uniquely to the event’s smooth operation and overall success. Their commitment and hard work are invaluable, ensuring that every aspect of the Rally runs seamlessly. We are deeply grateful for their contributions and the positive impact they have on our community.
Pam has been part of Rally to Read since the very beginning. In 1997, while working as McCarthy’s CSI Manager, she helped shape the original Rally to Read concept and supported the very first Rally in KwaZulu-Natal. She played a key role in helping the programme grow across South Africa. Since 2005, Pam has continued to support the Rally as a volunteer. She has been part of the Support Committee since its formation and now serves as its Co-ordinator, helping the Rally team continue spreading literacy and a love of reading to children across the country.
Mitzi has worked alongside Patrick in supporting Rally to Read for more than two decades. Her contribution goes far beyond financial support — she has an exceptional ability to mobilise resources and practical assistance for the Rally. One standout example is her role in arranging free transport services that, for several years, moved Rally materials from Johannesburg to Rally sites across the country. Her hands-on support has helped the Rally maximise its reach and impact.
Patrick has supported Rally to Read for over 25 years. His involvement began in 2000 when he proposed hosting a Rally in the Free State through his company at the time, United Bulk. This led to a long-standing partnership, with United Bulk becoming a major supporter of the Rally. Patrick continues to actively champion Rally to Read and offers sound guidance to the Support Committee. Through Inkon Labels, he also ensures that Rally sponsors and READ are recognised through the printing of labels used for the classroom libraries nationwide.
David represents the Financial Mail as Rally to Read’s official communications partner — a role the publication has proudly fulfilled for 27 years. His involvement dates back to 1997, when he and then-editor Peter Bruce committed the Financial Mail to champion literacy after discussions with Brand Pretorius. David has remained a passionate advocate for Rally to Read and has personally attended many Rallies over the years.
Rosalind has been involved with Rally to Read for 27 years, both as a sponsor and as a Support Committee member. She was one of the very first individual sponsors of the KwaZulu-Natal Rally and has remained committed ever since. Her presence on the Support Committee ensures that individual sponsors are well represented and valued as an essential part of the Rally to Read community.
Jonsson Workwear has partnered with Rally to Read for more than 20 years. As Leader of the Jonsson Foundation at Jonsson Workwear, Toni plays a key role in supporting Rally to Read as one of the Foundation’s flagship initiatives. With a background in marketing and a deep commitment to impact-driven work, Toni brings both professional insight and personal passion to the Support Committee.
Brian is a former teacher who has been involved with Rally to Read since 1999. Over the years, he managed and implemented Rally projects in the Western Cape, overseeing fundraising, planning, and delivery, as well as working closely with donors and education authorities. Since 2025 Brian joined the Rally Support Committee and continues to support the Rally as a fundraiser, mentor, and trainer.
Iris became involved with Rally to Read in 2005 when she took on the role of CSI Manager at McCarthy Ltd. She was responsible for organising the Rally programme nationally — from selecting schools and regions, to raising funding and coordinating Rally weekends. With nearly 20 years of hands-on involvement, Iris brings deep experience and institutional memory to the Support Committee, where her guidance and commitment remain invaluable.
Dr Emmanuel Malish Taban is a distinguished South African pulmonologist, critical care specialist, author, humanitarian and healthcare entrepreneur whose life embodies courage, resilience and purposeful leadership. Born in Juba, South Sudan, Dr Taban endured extraordinary hardship from an early age. As a teenager, he was abducted and later escaped, surviving as a street child before undertaking a remarkable journey that eventually brought him to South Africa in 1995. With the support of compassionate individuals, including Bishop Cesare Sandri, he rebuilt his life through education and determination. Despite arriving in South Africa with significant educational disadvantages, Dr Taban completed his secondary education and pursued medicine. He later obtained a master’s degree in internal medicine from the University of Pretoria, a Certificate in Pulmonology from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa and the prestigious European Respiratory Society HERMES Diploma. Today, he is a respected pulmonologist and critical care physician practising in Centurion, South Africa. His clinical interests include complex respiratory diseases, interstitial lung disease, severe asthma, pulmonary hypertension, critical care and advanced therapeutic bronchoscopy. He has contributed to medical literature through research on severe COVID-19 pneumonia, immune dysfunction and therapeutic bronchoscopy in critically ill patients. Dr Taban is also advancing specialised pulmonary care through the development of the SanoCare Breath of Hope Hospital—a proposed pulmonary and cardiothoracic centre of excellence. The project seeks to expand access to advanced respiratory medicine, critical care, cardiothoracic surgery, lung transplantation and innovative procedures such as endoscopic lung-volume reduction. His remarkable journey is captured in his bestselling autobiography, The Boy Who Never Gave Up, which inspires readers to overcome adversity through faith, education, perseverance and personal responsibility. Beyond medicine, Dr Taban is the founder of the Emmanuel Taban Foundation, which supports disadvantaged young people through education, mentorship and personal development. Through the foundation, he is helping students access opportunities that once appeared impossible, believing that talent is universal even when opportunity is not. His achievements have received recognition across Africa and internationally. He was named among the 100 Most Influential Africans in 2020 and received the African Person of the Year Award in 2021. In 2022, he was nominated for the prestigious Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity in recognition of his courage, humanitarian service and commitment to helping others. Following this nomination, he became a member of the Aurora Luminaries, a global community of humanitarians committed to transforming personal adversity into meaningful action for humanity. He has also received the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow recognition and has addressed numerous professional, educational and leadership platforms. Dr Taban’s life represents more than personal success. It is a powerful demonstration that adversity does not have to determine destiny. Through medicine, education, entrepreneurship and humanitarian service, he continues to create opportunities, restore dignity and inspire a new generation to believe that no beginning is too difficult and no dream is beyond reach.