As November 2023 draws to a close, the latest insights from the Household Affordability Index, shared by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PEJDG), unveil the pressing financial strains faced by families across multiple regions in South Africa.
Tracked across various essential categories, the data paints a concerning picture of rising costs and unrelenting financial pressure on households.
Mervyn Abrahams, programme coordinator of PEJDG, highlights the average cost of the household food basket for November 2023, which hit R5 314.63. This showcases a noticeable month-on-month increase of R17.05 (0.3%) from October 2023 and a significant year-on-year surge of R478.67 (9.9%) from November 2022.
Moreover, PEJDG draws attention to specific food items experiencing notable price hikes, such as eggs, chicken livers, tomatoes, apples, and oranges, which surged by 5% or more. Other essentials saw price escalations ranging from 2% to 4%, underscoring the challenges faced by families in affording basic necessities.
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Inflation and regional disparities
Abrahams contextualises the statistics against broader economic trends, referencing Statistics South Africa’s latest Consumer Price Index for October 2023, which revealed a 5.9% headline inflation, significantly impacting the lowest expenditure quintiles. These disparities underscore the challenges faced by different areas regarding affordability and accessibility of basic necessities.
He emphasises the struggle of the national minimum wage to support entire families, particularly within black households, where a single wage must provide for almost four individuals.
This situation leaves families far below the upper-bound poverty line, even as the cost of a basic nutritional food basket for a family of four stands significantly higher than the earnings of the working class.
Challenges for women, children, and hygiene
Beyond financial constraints, Abrahams highlights the disproportionate impact on women and children, where the cost of feeding a child a basic nutritious diet far surpasses the available child support grant, leaving families well below the food poverty line.
Moreover, he underscores the rising cost of household domestic and personal hygiene products, essential for health and well-being, further straining already limited household budgets.
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