Hill-Lewis urges Ramaphosa to intervene in DBE textbook catalogue

Polity Audio Articles · Sep 4, 2026 · 3m

Hill-Lewis urges Ramaphosa to intervene in DBE textbook catalogue

DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has issued an urgent appeal to President Cyril Ramaphosa to step in following an unprecedented showdown within the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

The dispute centres on a "green light" given by the department's director-general for a controversial new Foundation Phase textbook catalogue, completely bypassing an order from Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube to halt the process.

Gwarube recently suspended the implementation of the new Grade 1 to 3 national textbook catalogue intended for…