Probe clears publisher at centre of textbook catalogue row
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An independent investigation has cleared Lighthouse Publishers of any wrongdoing regarding their selection for the South African Foundation Phase textbook catalogue. The Department of Basic Education confirmed that allegations of fraud and favouritism were unsubstantiated.
Why it matters
This resolution settles a significant controversy in the South African education sector, potentially stabilizing the supply chain for primary school learning materials.
A leaked Department of Basic Education presentation says an independent investigation has found no wrongdoing involving Lighthouse Publishers, whose success in the new Foundation Phase Catalogue caused outrage from legacy publishers.
3 Sep 2026 Illustrative image: Primary school pupils. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla) | Siviwe Gwarube, Minister of Basic Education. (Photo: Leon Sadiki) Dive Deeper Speed Read Summary Listen Dive Deeper Lighthouse Publishers, the small publishing firm at the centre of one of South Africa’s most heated recent education controversies, has been cleared of all wrongdoing related to the new Foundation Phase textbook catalogue by an independent investigation commissioned by the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
This was the outcome delivered by DBE Director-General Mathanzima Mweli in a presentation to school governing body associations and unions on Thursday.
The presentation records the findings of an investigation into the textbook catalogue carried out by independent investigators Rakoma and Associates.
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