South Africans are grappling with financial strain as the rising cost of living tightens its grip on the back of increasing food and energy prices, a crisis underscored by the latest independent food price data released this week.
The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) Household Affordability Index, shows the average cost of the Household Food Basket, tracking 44 basic foods across 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg, Mtubatuba, and Springbok, rose 3.6% year-on-year from R5 252.15 in July 2024. However, the basket experienced a 41 cents month-on-month price drop to R5 442.72 compared to June 2025.
In Truth Report’s fiery report, Sama Sambit points out that families are underspending on food by nearly 40% and that impending electricity price hikes will only worsen the crisis. He condemns the situation as “economic violence against the poor” and a breakdown of the social contract.
Mixed pricing trends
The index reveals mixed pricing trends.
“In July, of the 26 foods tracked in the basket, 17 foods increased in price, and 26 foods decreased in price, and food’s price remained unchanged,” PMBEJD reported. Foods with notable increases include beef (5%), beef tripe (7%), and full cream milk (5%), while maize meal (-5%) and salt (-4%) saw significant drops.
Regional annual price variations reflect uneven impacts. Food baskets rose 2% to R5 656.43 in Johannesburg and R5 358.09 in Durban, while Mtubatuba recorded a 6% increase to R5 487.97. The price of the basket fell 6.7% in Cape Town to R5 371.35, by 6% in Springbok to R5 735.50 and by 0.1% in Pietermaritzburg to R5 092.82.
National minimum wage
According to the PMBEJD the National Minimum Wage of R5 297.36 for July’s 23 working days leaves little after essentials. The group’s data shows families underspend on food by 39.4%, a sign of deep economic distress.
The report shows that hygiene costs also add pressure. The Household Domestic & Personal Hygiene Index fell R19.91 (-1.9%) to R1 021.56, yet the financial squeeze persists as families juggle essentials, the PMBEJD notes.
Eskom’s unrelenting electricity price hikes are also adding to households’ budgetary stress. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa approved electricity price increases of 12.74% for 2025/5, 5,36% for 2026/7 and 6,19% for 2027/8 for direct customers under Eskom’s latest Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD) earlier this year.
Statistics South Africa’s June 2025 Consumer Price Index reported 3% headline inflation and 4.7% food inflation, hitting lower-income groups hardest.
