Calls grow for accountability in textbook tender saga

Pressure is mounting for those implicated in the foundation phase textbook procurement saga to be held accountable.

This follows the alleged awarding of a R1.6 million contract to Lighthouse Publishers (Pty) Ltd to produce textbooks.

It is alleged that the company has no proven track record in delivering large-scale educational materials, and could have benefitted by more than R280 million from the publishing process.

Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, has since enlisted the National Treasury to lead an investigation into alleged irregularities in the procurement process.

The department warns that the matter could potentially affect up to 13.7 million learners across the country.

Government has, however, clarified that it does not use a traditional tender system, but rather a blind screening process open to all bidders.

“It is a submission of manuscripts with no publisher name, logos, author names, or any identifying details that could reveal the identity of the publisher or author. This approach facilitates a “blind screening” process, ensuring that only the quality of the content influences the outcome and protecting the process from undue influence. Screeners who evaluate these materials therefore have no way of knowing who the publishers or authors are, their track record, or their status.”

Civic movement, Forum for South Africa (FOSA) has called for the findings of the investigation to be made public.

FOSA leader, Tebogo Mashilompane, says the matter reflects a system that continues to fail in protecting the basic needs of citizens.

“The potential looting and manipulation of textbook procurement is not a technical failure; it is a betrayal of over 13.7 million learners. It is an attack on the future of this country. While politicians deliberate, children sit in classrooms without the tools they need to learn, compete, and succeed.

Mashilompane says South African learners should not be treated as collateral damage for corrupt networks.

“FOSA further warns that failure to act decisively will confirm what many South Africans already believe, that corruption in this country is tolerated, protected, and embedded within the system.”

“This is not just about textbooks. It is about a government that continues to gamble with the future of children while shielding incompetence and corruption.”

Meanwhile, Education activist, Hendrick Makaneta, says funds meant for education cannot be misused, especially amid ongoing inequality in schools.

He says education is important and must be protected with honesty and integrity.

“A textbook is not just paper and ink. It is a tool of freedom. It carries knowledge into classrooms where hope is often in short supply. When textbooks do not arrive on time, it is the child in the classroom who pays the price. It is the teacher who struggles.”

“We believe that the truth must come out. If there has been wrongdoing, it must be faced with courage and corrected without delay.”

MK Party’s national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, says the matter reflects a broader pattern of weak oversight, poor governance and lack of consequence management in state institutions.

“The MK Party has written to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, urging the Chairperson to call on the Minister to urgently table a detailed report on this incident. This will aid in informing the Committee about the facts of the matter in real time, ensuring urgent intervention.”

Ndhlela added that the future of learners cannot be left in the hands of incompetence and negligence.

“As the MK Party, we will not turn a blind eye while public resources are mismanaged at the expense of our children’s future.”

Terrible weekend for DA. Two ministers’ departments in scandal

AI fakes to draft AI policy has become a global story

R285m for textbooks awarded to a company with no publishing history

Both ministers are DA deputy federal chairs

The buck stops with them, as with all ministers

— Dan Corder 📺 (@DanCorderOnAir) April 28, 2026

The DA is embroiled in textbooks tender corruption and they are doing everything in their power to trivialise their crime as a mere irregularity.

Their Minister @Siviwe_G instead of reporting the fraud and corruption to the SAPS, she elects to ask Treasury to investigate.…

— Sentletse 🇿🇦🇷🇺🇵🇸🇱🇧 (@Sentletse) April 29, 2026

The DA awarded a R1,6 billion tender to these people, 3 European settlers and 1 African immigrant from Uganda, they will be responsible for the publishing of basic education textbooks for black kids in South Africa! pic.twitter.com/1BQ5egsqbg

— Mbuso P Siera (@mbuso_siera) April 29, 2026