Lighthouse Publishers' Statement regarding Foundation Phase Catalogue Process and Related Media Coverage
3 June 2026
Lighthouse Publishers is aware of ongoing public commentary and media reporting relating to the Department of Basic Education's Foundation Phase catalogue process.
We reiterate that Lighthouse Publishers has acted lawfully, professionally and in good faith throughout its participation in the process.
Lighthouse welcomes the Department of Basic Education's (DBE) investigation and review processes and supports all efforts aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and public confidence in the Foundation Phase catalogue programme. We understand that the review process extends across all participating catalogue contributors and service providers.
We further note that the evaluation and adjudication processes were conducted independently by structures and panels appointed for that purpose. Lighthouse did not appoint adjudicators, determine evaluation criteria or influence the outcome of any assessment or approval process.
Lighthouse continues to cooperate fully with all independent investigations and inquiries currently underway and will provide any information reasonably required through the appropriate channels.
Recent public commentary has included questions regarding timelines, personnel appointments and preparatory activities undertaken before the publication of the Department's Terms of Reference. Lighthouse rejects any suggestion that it had prior knowledge of the Department's requirements, received confidential information, or benefited from preferential treatment of any kind.
As is common practice within the education publishing sector, research, planning and content development activities may be undertaken based on publicly available curriculum, literacy and policy frameworks. Such preparatory work forms part of normal publishing practice and does not imply prior access to departmental decisions, processes or requirements.
Lighthouse confirms that all submissions to the Foundation Phase catalogue process were developed and submitted in accordance with the requirements published by the Department of Basic Education.
Certain public allegations and media commentary have, in our view, created inaccurate and misleading impressions regarding both the nature of the process and Lighthouse's role within it. In particular, references characterising the process as a conventional "tender" risk oversimplifying a complex catalogue evaluation and approval framework administered by the DBE.
We are also concerned that some commentary has relied on assumptions, incomplete information or inaccuracies that do not reflect the full factual context. Where factual errors have arisen, Lighthouse has taken steps to clarify the record through the appropriate channels.
Given the ongoing review and investigation processes, it would be inappropriate to engage in a continual public exchange on matters that are currently subject to formal scrutiny.
Lighthouse remains committed to:
cooperating fully and transparently with all lawful processes;
supporting quality educational outcomes for South African learners;
maintaining the highest standards of governance, ethics and professional conduct; and
protecting the integrity of all stakeholders involved.
We believe the appropriate review and investigative processes should be allowed to run their course and that conclusions should be based on verified facts, evidence and due process rather than inference, speculation or incomplete information.
Lighthouse will continue to engage constructively with the relevant authorities and stakeholders and will provide further updates should material developments arise.
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