With more than 80% of South African Grade 4 learners unable to read for meaning in any language, the country is facing a deepening early literacy crisis that threatens long-term social and economic progress. Experts agree that the roots of this challenge lie in the critical early development years – yet many Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in township and informal areas remain under-resourced and unsupported.

Recognising the urgent need for systemic change, Ashburton Investments is channelling institutional capital directly toward early learning outcomes. With a specific focus on classroom resourcing, Ashburton directed the June earnings from two of its flagship investment funds – backed by institutional investors such as local retail, investment, and development banks – to support ECD centres in Orange Grove and Alexandra informal settlement through the work of the Impilo Collection Foundation.

“The asset management industry needs to come together to ensure that institutional capital is directed towards making a tangible difference where it is needed most, for long-term, sustainable socio-economic impact. This is why we partnered with the Impilo Collection Foundation to support their impactful ‘Empower Them’ initiative, which focuses on the Reading Buddies project and the Edubox programme, both dedicated to children's foundation phase education,” says Vanessa Pillay, head of Institutional Distribution at Ashburton Investments.

In 2024, 550 children were supported in improving their early fine motor skills, literacy and numeracy, through the donation of learning equipment for hands-on and age-appropriate activities. Ashburton strives to have a similar, if not greater, positive impact on Impilo this year. Last year, more than 28 teachers and principals from 16 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres were trained to use the toolkit. The goal is to lift children out of poverty by creating a strong early learning foundation.

The Eduboxes contain flashcards to promote language development through visual and verbal engagement, art supplies for creative expression, activities to enhance pre-reading, maths, and pre-writing skills, and stationary to improve fine motor skills. The Impilo Collective was founded by South African philanthropist, jewellery designer and charity adventurer Angela Yeung.

One teacher from Little Prince ECD in Orange Grove said this of the impact: “We introduced Edubox to our children in February 2025. Their language skills have improved and now they even ask for their favourite games by name. They know that Fridays are ‘Edubox days’.”

The Principal of Bright Stars ECD in Alexandra adds: “Our children's knowledge and daily routines have improved drastically. These resources are not just educational, they’re a gift of hope.”

Pillay concludes: “We believe that, just like in investing, small acts of support for early education can lead to meaningful long-term impacts. As Nelson Mandela said, education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. And with the immense socio-economic crisis facing the country, the best way to help families break the cycle of poverty is by investing in very critical foundation phase education. We believe the investment funds we have at our disposal should be used in innovative ways to direct support to this very vital cause."