Teaching in South Africa
South African education spans four broad employment categories: public-sector Department of Basic Education (DBE) teaching positions, private-school teaching (IEB curriculum or alternative curricula like Cambridge), Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners at crèches and pre-schools, and private tutoring. Each has different registration requirements and different CV expectations.
SACE registration is mandatory for formal teaching
The South African Council for Educators (SACE) registers every teacher working at a registered school. No SACE registration, no legal teaching position. Your SACE number must appear at the top of your CV — it's the first thing any school HR office checks. If you're a newly-qualified teacher awaiting SACE registration, state "SACE registration in process" with your application date.
Phase and subject specialisation
SA teachers are qualified for specific phases: Foundation Phase (Grades R–3), Intermediate Phase (Grades 4–6), Senior Phase (Grades 7–9), and Further Education and Training (FET — Grades 10–12). Beyond phase, teachers are subject-specialists. Your CV should name your exact phase and subject combinations. A "Senior Phase Mathematics and Natural Sciences teacher" is specific enough for an HR screener to place; "teacher" is not.
IEB vs CAPS curriculum experience
Public and most private schools follow the CAPS (Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement) curriculum. IEB (Independent Examinations Board) schools follow the same core content but with different assessment standards. If you have experience teaching to both, list both explicitly — it's a hireability signal for private-school employers specifically.
ECD and pre-school
ECD practitioners at registered pre-schools and crèches need an ECD qualification at NQF level 4 or 5. A level 4 qualification is the legal minimum for leading a group of children; level 5 is usually required for site managers or principals. List the qualification, the training provider, and the year issued.
Private tutoring
Private tutoring has no formal registration requirement but is a highly competitive market in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Your CV for tutoring work should emphasise specific exam boards (NSC, IEB, Cambridge IGCSE), subject specialisms, and student improvement track record if you can demonstrate it.