Marenda Venter
Educator · Author · Curriculum Developer | 30+ years in the classroom
"The things you are passionate about are not random; they are your calling."
Marenda Venter is a Mathematics teacher with over 30 years of classroom experience and a deep love for curriculum development. Her passion for teaching and her faith in God have shaped every page of the Pharos Textbooks curriculum.
Order via WhatsAppHow Pharos Textbooks Came to Be
What began as a set of Maths books written for her own Grade 4 to 7 learners has grown into a full Grade R to 7 curriculum — available in both English and Afrikaans, and rooted in a Biblical worldview.
30+ Years as a Mathematics Teacher
Developed a deep understanding of how children learn — and where traditional resources fall short. Started writing her own materials for her Grade 4–7 learners.
Bilingual Expansion
Recognised the need for high-quality Afrikaans resources, leading to the development of the full Afrikaans range across all subjects and grades.
Biblical Integration
While mentoring young teachers, Marenda saw a need for guidance on weaving faith into every academic subject. This became the heart of Pharos — faith not as an add-on, but woven throughout.
Natural Science & Social Science
Expanded the curriculum to include Natural Science and Social Science, enriched with curated YouTube video links that support teachers and keep learners engaged.
Foundation Phase
Encouraged by Pharos School's principal, Fanie Vermaak, Marenda extended the vision to Grade R–3, including a specialized phonetic reading programme built from the ground up.
A Reading Programme Built from the Ground Up
Marenda's Foundation Phase phonics programme is entirely phonetic. Children learn to read by sounding out letters and combinations that have already been taught — no sight-word memorisation, no guessing. Every reading book used in the programme contains only words made up of sounds the learner has been taught up to that point.
This approach produces confident, independent readers. It is available in both English and Afrikaans, making it ideal for bilingual and homeschool families across South Africa.
View Grade 1 Books
Why Pharos Textbooks?
CAPS Aligned, Higher Standard
Our books meet and exceed CAPS requirements, giving learners a deeper and more thorough foundation in every subject.
Rooted in Biblical Truth
Faith is woven naturally into every subject area — not added as a footnote, but present from the first page to the last.
Teacher and Learner Friendly
Clear explanations, ample examples, and structured daily activities make teaching easier and learning genuinely enjoyable.
Visually Engaging
Thoughtfully designed to be visually stimulating, keeping children engaged and making content easier to absorb.
"It is a privilege to serve educators and learners in this way."
At Pharos, our mission is to equip teachers, empower learners, and honour God through excellence in curriculum development. Every book is written with care, tested in real classrooms, and designed to make a lasting difference.