Rising food prices in South Africa: April 2025 Household Affordability Index
Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) said that the April 2025 Household Affordability Index indicated that the average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R90,94 (1.7%), from R5 329,36 in March 2025 to R5 420,30 in April 2025. Civil society organisations have raised concerns about the rising cost of foods.
Mervyn Abrahams, PMBEJD programme co-ordinator, said that in April 2025: The average cost of the Household Food Basket is R5 420,30. 'Year-on-year: The average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R83,99 (1,6%), from R5 336,31 in April 2024 to R5 420,30 in April 2025. Food pricing trends in April 2025. In April, of the 44 foods tracked in the basket: 24 foods increased in price, and 20 foods decreased in price.'
Abrahams added that foods in the basket which increased in price in April 2025 by 5% or more, include: potatoes (6%), onions (11%), beef (7%), fish (7%), tomatoes (26%), carrots (20%), spinach (7%), cabbage (6%), green pepper (7%), bananas (7%), and oranges (18%). 'Foods in the basket which increased in price in April 2025 by 2% or more, include: maize meal (2%), full cream milk (2%), beef tripe (2%), cremora (3%), apricot jam (4%), and brown bread (2%).'
Abrahams said that they have noticed increases in the food baskets across major cities in the month of April. 'In April 2025, food baskets in Joburg, Durban, Cape Town, Springbok and Pietermaritzburg increased in price. The Joburg basket increased by R77,58 (1,4%) month-on-month, and decreased by R52,72 (-0,9%) year-on-year, to R5 559,46 in April 2025. The Durban basket increased by R157,64 (3,0%) month-on-month, and increased by R168,23 (3,2%) year-on-year, to R5 425,23 in April 2025.'
Abrahams added that the Cape Town basket increased by R11,25 (0,2%) month-on-month, and increased by R129,80 (2,5%) year-on-year, to R5 316,56 in April 2025. 'The Springbok basket increased by R242,93 (4,3%) month-on-month, and increased by R186,68 (3,3%) year-on-year, to R5 908,84 in April 2025. The Maritzburg basket increased by R138,46 (2,8%) month-on-month, and decreased by R15,84 (-0,3%) year-on-year, to R5 044,47 in April 2025.'
Abrahams said that Statistics South Africa's latest Consumer Price Index for March 2025 shows that headline inflation was 2,7%, and for the lowest expenditure quintiles 1-3 it is 4,2%, 3,7%, and 3,3% respectively. 'CPI food inflation was 2,2% (for CPI Food & NAB it was 2,7%. STATS SA's Producer Price Index for March 2025 shows agriculture was 2,4%, of which, products of crops and horticulture was 9,2%, and live animals and animal products was -7.1%.'
Evashnee Naidu, regional manager for Black Sash in KwaZulu-Natal, said that the organisation continues to advocate for an increase in the value of social grants across the board to the extent that these increases are able to cushion the ever-increasing blow of food price increases. 'Whilst Black Sash welcomes the fact that there will be no VAT increase in 2025, which would have had a significant impact on poorer households, South Africa continues to see food prices increase. The Black Sash amplifies its call for permanent Basic Income Support to provide additional support to individuals and households.'
Aliya Chikte, project officer at the Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC), said that although food inflation is slowing down, the average cost of a household food basket is unaffordable in a context of mass unemployment and deep impoverishment. 'Even though more than half the population lives in poverty, the high rate of exclusion from the Social Relief of Distress leaves millions without the support needed to meet their immediate nutritional needs. As a new fiscal framework is tabled, we urge the government to protect and enhance social protection.'
Siyanda Baduza, a researcher with the Basic Income Project at the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ), said that for the millions of grant recipients, the increase in food prices will continue to make life more difficult, as it does everyone else, even with the VAT reversal. 'The value of the child support grant and SRD grants remain far below adequate levels. Both lie below the food poverty line, now at R796, and also below all estimates of the cost to feed a child a nutritional diet.'
BUSINESS REPORT
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
No funding requests received for R5 billion flood damage in Eastern Cape, says Godongwana
Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana says the verified cost of damages caused by the June floods in the Eastern Cape stood at R5 billion as assessed by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency. Image: Independent Newspapers Despite R546 million set aside by the National Treasury in the 2025/26 financial year for immediate response to disasters, no funds have been allocated following last month's devastating floods in the Eastern Cape. This is according to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana when he was replying to written parliamentary questions from EFF MP Veronica Mente-Nkuna. 'The National Treasury has not yet received disaster response funding applications for the Eastern Cape floods from the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG). Therefore, funds are yet to be allocated to Eastern Cape departments and municipalities from both grants,' Godongwana said. He said the 2025 Division of Revenue Bill has a provision for R395m in the Municipal Disaster Response Grant and R151m in the Provincial Disaster Response Grant that are administered by the DCoG. Both grants are not allocated to specific municipalities and provinces at the time of the tabling of the Bill, he said. Godongwana also said a further R518m was allocated in the Emergency Housing Fund, which is administered by the Department of Human Settlements. 'The Minister of Human Settlements is best placed to advise on how much, if any, has been allocated to respond to the Eastern Cape floods.' He explained that both the disaster grant and emergency funding are for urgent repairs to infrastructure and housing. 'The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Minister of Human Settlements are best placed to advise on the specific line items for the repairs provided for.' Responding to separate questions from EFF MP Vuyani Pambo, Godongwana said the verified cost of damages caused by the June floods stood at R5 billion as assessed by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency. He reiterated that the National Treasury has not yet received funding applications from DCoG. 'These applications are expected to account for insurance coverage and the reprioritisation of existing revenues by the affected organs of state. 'Once DCoG submits its recommendations and the applications are processed, any allocations from the national fiscus will be governed by the conditions set out in the relevant conditional grant frameworks, including the reporting requirements stipulated in Section 12 of the Division of Revenue Act.' Meanwhile, Cooperative and Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa confirmed that 22 people were accommodated in temporary emergency accommodation in Butterworth and Mthatha, which fall under the Mnquma and King Sabata Dalindyebo municipalities. 'According to the province, no Temporary Relief Units (TRUs) have been provided by the Department of Human Settlements to the affected households in the Eastern Cape yet, as the province has been advised to reprioritise their existing grants for intervention measures. 'This reprioritisation of funds has been enabled by the classification of a disaster by the National Disaster Management Centre,' Hlabisa said. He also said the provincial Department of Human Settlements has applied to the National Department of Human Settlements for the reprioritisation of the Informal Settlements Upgrading Grant and the Human Settlements Development Grant for disaster intervention measures. 'The Department of Human Settlements has activated emergency procurement policy to source contractors for additional TRUs utilising the existing panel of contractors, and the estimated appointment is by the 3rd week of July 2025.' Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape Cabinet earlier this week commended the provincial departments for setting aside 2% of their budgets for disaster response efforts. 'The Cabinet noted the reprioritisation of funds by departments to accommodate the response to this disaster,' said provincial government spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie. Rantjie also said the provincial government has prioritised the construction and allocation of TRUs in the high-priority areas affected by the floods in Mthatha and Butterworth. The construction of TRUs is at an advanced stage, with 28 ready for occupation and three expected to be completed on Thursday in Butterworth.
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
How Gayton McKenzie's son, Siwelele FC boss Calvyn Le'John, bought SuperSport United's status
Siwelele FC chairman Calvyn Le'John, the son of sports minister Gayton McKenzie, says he doesn't do any work for government. Since McKenzie's political position doesn't allow him to continue heading family businesses, Le'John was appointed as the new leader of the family's business interests. When Le'John and his firm were announced as the new owners of SuperSport United — renaming the club and relocating it to Bloemfontein — an interesting discovery was made. It emerged that Le'John is the son of the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, and was using his maternal surname. 'Eight or nine months ago, we were part of the Royal AM auction. We bid in both auctions that took place for Royal AM, and we lost both.' 'It was through an auction. We put in our bid and luckily, we won,' explained Le'John during an interview with Marawa Sport Worldwide on Thursday. Siwelele FC chairman Calvyn Le'John has revealed the steps they had to take to acquire the status of SuperSport United, and what it'll take to sustain the club. 🔴 "My mother did not want her son to grow up with a surname of a prisoner..... We have our hands in a lot of pies, but the majority of the money comes from mining." 🔴 Newly formed @Siwelele_FC Chairman, Calvyn Le'John, in a wide-ranging interview on #MSWOn947 , breaks down the… Le'John revealed on MSW that they have their 'hands in many pies,' while their primary interest and focus remains mining. 'I don't have R50 million lying around,' Le'John said. 'I sold our properties on the coast, some properties in Sandton, to fund the project of buying SuperSport. 'To fund the liquidity of the team, I sold some shares to a consortium from one of the diamond mines in the North West for the sum of R90 million. That's how things unfolded.' Le'John refuted allegations that they used government connections to acquire the money to buy and run Siwelele. 'I saw a rumour that I got a tender of R70 million somewhere on Twitter, and that's a blatant lie,' Le'John said. 'I don't have any friends, associates, or family members that are doing any work in the city or in the Department of Sports, for that matter. I don't do tenders. I tried, but seeing people getting arrested every three days is scary. I am in different businesses, so I don't work with the state.' Despite denying any ties to the club, McKenzie had said the family had put R400 million aside to build world-class facilities for the club. Le'John, however, said they'll explore avenues for the club to generate its own income so that it becomes sustainable. 'We are going to run this club in a sustainable way. It needs to wash its own hands, even though we'll put a million rand here and there to run the club,' Le'John said. 'The club does have sponsors, and it is healthy. It is still healthy. It's still SuperSport United, after all.' Siwelele is regarded by some as the rebirth of Bloemfontein Celtic, and Le'John explained why it was unreasonable to buy back the name from businessman Eddie Modise. 'The name Bloemfontein Celtic — I cannot buy a name for 10% of the club's value. R5 million for a name? Personally, I can't (do it),' Le'John added.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Artsolar's gag order on Independent Media lifted, a court victory for media freedom
Oxford supermarkets managing director, Brett Latimer, who complained about Artsolar allegedly misrepresenting itself by claiming to have sold him locally manufactured solar panels whereas they were allegedly imported from China. Image: Bongani Hans IT is a victory for media freedom following the withdrawal of an interdict, which a Durban company that earned R90 million in government funding through allegedly falsely claiming to manufacture solar panels, had obtained against whistle-blowers. Artsolar had, earlier this year, obtained an interdict against the Independent Media Group at the Durban High Court, which, as a result, could not report on the matter. After Artsolar obtained the interdict, other media houses, such as Ground Up, which were not gagged, reported extensively about the details of the misrepresentation and gagging of the media. The court officially withdrew the interdict against Independent Media and Oxford Supermarkets, which was a whistle-blower in the matter, on Tuesday, following Artsolar informing the court that it was no longer proceeding with its action. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Hence, Artsolar incurred legal costs 'on party and party scale C'. The company obtained the interim interdict in March at the same court, with Independent Media being informed about the hearing of the application at the last hour. When asked if Independent Media can now freely write about the allegations that Artsolar imported the panels from China without fear of legal reprisal, their lawyer, Advocate Carina Jacob, said 'Yes'. Artsolar's contract manager, Yaadhna Harilal, said the interdict was to prevent the publication of defamatory allegations arising from a private commercial dispute. Harilal said Artsolar withdrew the interdict as it had already entered the public domain, 'and little purpose remained in pursuing the matter'. 'The broader context meant the matter no longer aligned with our original legal objectives, and continued litigation would not advance the company's strategic interest or benefit our stakeholders. 'We are engaging directly with the relevant parties, and any substantive regulatory queries will be addressed with the appropriate authorities through the proper channels,' said Harilal. She could not say whether the company was continuing to import solar panels. Independent Media and the Amabhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, which joined the matter as a friend of the court for media freedom, had come down heavily against the interdict. 'On a collective basis, it is a good thing because journalists stuck up for a journalist when you were let down. 'It shows that the industry (media) is a force to be reckoned with, and you will continue to do it,' said Jacob. Oxford was prohibited from disclosing details about the importation of solar panels. It had raised the matter with various organisations, including the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which was also prevented from investigating the allegations. Artsolar, which operates a factory at the New Germany Industrial Park outside Pinetown, had claimed to be a 100% manufacturer of solar panels. However, it emerged that Artsolar had misled its potential clients and IDC, which had invested R90 million in the company on the basis that it was a 100% proudly South African manufacturer. Oxford's managing director, Brett Latimer, had purchased panels to install on the rooftops of his shopping centre in Hillcrest. On the completion of the installation, Latimer discovered empty boxes of the panels, which indicated that the panels were produced by Chinese company Einnova Solarline Energy Corporation Limited. Artsolar ordered the panels, which were shipped to the country via the Durban Port. Artsolar's former employees, Kandace Singh and Shalendra Hansraj, who had since gained employment with Oxford, backed Latimer's finding with more evidence. Latimer filed complaints against Artsolar with the IDC and also laid a criminal charge at the Hilcrest police station. He also complained to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), the International Trade Administration Commission of SA (ITAC), Proudly South African, and the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO). Latimer later alerted this Independent Media reporter to expose what he viewed as corruption. However, as Independent Media was working on the story after completing its investigation, Artsolar obtained an interdict against the story. Singh, Hansraj, and Latimer were gagged from talking about the matter, which Artsolar considered defamatory. This forced Independent Media to abandon this story while its lawyers were in the process of overturning the interdict. Jacob said that by taking the matter to court, Artsolar shot itself in the foot because it attracted the attention of other media houses. She said the gagging of the media and Oxford seemed to have been used to prevent the IDC from investigating the matter. 'They used an order to stop a journalist for an ulterior purpose, and that's what we said in the affidavit that they used you to stop an investigation, because the reality is they knew that if they brought an interdict against that (IDC investigation), no one could get it,' said Jacobs. Oxford's lawyer, Mahomed Shoaib Omar, said the case against Artsolar was strengthened by his clients' successful subpoena of a Durban Port's clearing agency to produce bills of lading. 'The bill of lading disclosed that 99% of the solar panels were imported from China and not locally manufactured,' said Omar. Omar said IDC's forensic auditor, Charl Naude, had completed the forensic investigation, which was now being reviewed by the IDC. 'When the IDC joined the court process as the respondent, the court granted an order, and then the forensic auditor interviewed Latimer, Singh, and Hansraj and obtained the relevant information. 'The current situation is that the IDC, based on the internal forensic report, will have to consider what to do in this matter,' said Omar. Omar said the withdrawal of the interdict meant that Oxford had been vindicated. 'Artsolar represented that the solar panels that were sold to Oxford were manufactured at the Artsolar factory, whereas they were imported from China, and this is substantiated by the bills of lading that were produced,' said Omar. He said Oxford could lodge a civil action by bringing forward a summons to set aside the R5 million panel purchase transactions. 'The DTIC also advanced R28 million to Artsolar, which is separate from R90 million that the IDC had advanced,' said Omar. When contacted for comment, IDC corporate affairs head Tshepo Ramodibe said Artsolar's withdrawal of the interdict against his entity cleared the way for it to proceed with its investigation into the allegations. 'In line with policy, the IDC does not publicly disclose investigation outcomes. Any decisions regarding funding will be guided by governance protocols once the investigation is concluded,' said Ramodibe. The DTIC has not responded to confirm the R28 million, which Omar said was advanced to Artsolar.
