SA households at breaking point, essential costs overwhelm monthly incomes

South African households are increasingly struggling as essential costs, such as electricity and transport, consume a larger share of their incomes. In August, the average cost of the food basket was R5,479.80, which is 1.8% higher than a year earlier. According to Mervyn Abrahams from PMBEJD, after paying for essential expenses, there is often little money left for food, leading to a decrease in both the quantity and quality of food purchased.