South Africa is facing more than 27,000 vacant teaching posts, even as thousands of qualified teachers remain unemployed. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube told Parliament the national vacancy rate stood at 7% as of June 2026, with the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng hit hardest. The department says a PERSAL vacancy does not always mean an empty classroom, with provinces using temporary and acting appointments to fill gaps. We speak to Mr. Basil manuel, Executive Director of the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa, NAPTOSA on why posts are not being filled and what needs to change.