Latest news with #IndependentOnline
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Commission issues warning as crop losses push grocery prices to troubling highs — here's what to expect
Food prices are still climbing, and according to a report out of South Africa, it's not a temporary blip. Rising food prices are part of a larger trend hitting households across South Africa. Independent Online (IOL) reported that the Competition Commission's latest Essential Food Price Monitoring report identified several pressure points across the food supply chain: extreme weather, high transportation costs, and ongoing load shedding. "The reason we started this was because of factors called feathers and rockets," Competition Commission economist Khalirendwe Ranenyeni told Independent Online. In plain terms, that means food prices tend to rise quickly when costs increase but fall slowly when costs decrease. Take maize, for example. When prices surged by 60%, grocery costs jumped almost immediately. But even after maize prices cooled off months later, those savings weren't passed on to shoppers nearly as fast. Canned pilchards, frozen chicken, and maize meal are a few examples of everyday staples that are getting more expensive. Some prices are still high due to past events, such as the avian flu that caused egg shortages in late 2023. Others are rising again because harvests are falling short, and South Africa is expected to produce 1 million fewer tons of maize than last year. A major cause of rising food prices is the climate crisis. Droughts last year dried up key crops, and that ripple effect is still being felt. Changing weather patterns, made worse by our overheating planet, are making food harder to grow — not just in South Africa but around the world. Climate shocks are driving up rice prices across Asia, according to multiple reports, affecting billions of people. And a World Bank report warned that food insecurity is rising globally, which means lower-income households are being hit the hardest. It also puts pressure on school meals, nutrition programs, and health outcomes, especially in communities that are already struggling. Smarter grocery shopping, such as planning ahead, shopping in season, eating better food, and wasting less, can make a huge difference for you and everyone else. And by supporting clean cooking tech and climate-smart farming, you can help build more resilient food systems. Solar-powered stoves in Rwanda and the Digital Heating Room in Germany are two examples that make household energy use more efficient, lowering costs and reducing strain on the planet. Food prices may be rising, but smarter systems and small everyday choices can help keep groceries more affordable for everyone. How much does your family spend on groceries each week? Under $75 Between $75 and $150 Between $150 and $300 Over $300 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
IOL News
02-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Panel Discussion on Western Cape Economy Postponed Pending Budget Approval
The exclusive panel discussion on the Western Cape's economic outlook, originally scheduled for Thursday, 8 May 2025 at the President Hotel, has been postponed. The decision follows the delay in the national budget presentation, now expected to be tabled on 21 May 2025. This high-level event, which was set to unpack Budget 2025, regional growth prospects, and sector-specific investment opportunities, will be rescheduled to ensure it reflects the latest fiscal direction and approved national priorities. 'Hosting this panel discussion before the finalisation of Budget 2025 would be premature,' said Lance Witten, Editor-in-Chief of Independent Online (IOL). 'Our objective is to facilitate a fully informed conversation, and having access to the official budget figures and policy framework is essential for that purpose.' Johann Els, Chief Economist at Old Mutual, echoed the sentiment: 'This careful decision underscores our focus on economic growth. With the fiscal framework still unfolding, it is prudent to wait for the finalised budget so that we can discuss strategies to drive growth and investment in the Western Cape with the right fiscal context.' All existing bookings will be honoured for the rescheduled date. Registered guests will be contacted directly with updated event details once confirmed. This postponement not only ensures relevance but also reinforces the organisers' commitment to informed public discourse and robust policy engagement. We extend our appreciation to all confirmed speakers and partners for their understanding and continued support as we align the discussion with national fiscal timelines. For more information or media enquiries, please contact: Rehana Rutti at
The Citizen
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
SA's roads most dangerous in the world to drive on? Not so fast
SA's roads most dangerous in the world to drive on? Not so fast Many would agree that driving on South Africa's roads can feel like an extreme sport. But is it the most dangerous country to drive in? According to Zutobi, an online drivers' education platform, it is. In March, the platform released its 2023 ranking of 'the world's safest roads'. South Africa placed last, while Norway, Hungary and Iceland ranked safest. South Africa's result was unquestioningly and widely covered in the local media, including in the Independent Online, SABC News, Radio Islam, Zululand Observer, Primedia Plus and My Broadband. On social media, the claim attracted views in the hundreds of thousands. But as with the 2022 report, the methodology used means we're not getting a reliable picture. What is Zutobi and how does it rank road safety? Zutobi operates in the US, UK, Australia, Sweden, Germany and France. It provides materials to help learner drivers pass their driver's test. We have contacted the platform to find out why the 2023 report was only released in March 2025 and will update this report with their response. The latest report again ranked 53 countries based on the following factors: Estimated road traffic death rate per 100 000 Maximum motorway speed limit Seatbelt wearing rate Road traffic deaths attributed to alcohol Blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers The survey's findings South Africa had an estimated road traffic death rate of 24.5 per 100 000 people, Zutobi said. It gave the country a maximum speed limit of 120 kilometres per hour, which it said was not far from the 110km/h limit in the safest country to drive in, Norway. The report also said that South Africa had the highest amount of alcohol-related road traffic deaths, at 57.5%, and a seat-belt wearing rate of 31%. For blood alcohol concentration, Zutobi only noted that South Africa's was 0.05 grams per decilitre. To arrive at its overall findings, the survey said it gave each country 'a normalised score' out of 10 for each factor, and then calculated an average across all five factors. Problems with the research methodology But a closer look at the data revealed numerous problems. Zutobi's report covers just 53 countries, with South Africa, Mauritius and Morocco being the only ones from Africa. For road deaths, the survey used the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Health Observatory. We could not find the corresponding figure. The most recent data for South Africa is from 2019, at 22 deaths per 100 000 people. But nearly 60 countries had higher death rates. The list is topped by the Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe and Venezuela, with rates of 65, 41 and 39 respectively. The WHO estimates deaths based on many factors, Binta Sako, a technical officer at the agency's Africa regional office, previously told Africa Check. As a result, its numbers are often higher than the reported numbers. For traffic deaths attributed to alcohol, the WHO doesn't have stats for every country, particularly many in Africa. South Africa's rate, as the Zutobi report points out, was one of the highest globally at 57.5% of all crashes in 2017. That remains the most recent data. However, the crash data covers only 93 countries and territories – less than half of the world. That list was headed by Micronesia, Tonga and Vanuatu where 100%, 77% and 67% of all crashes were attributed to alcohol. The statistics on seat-belt wearing and BAC limits are also still from 2017, though the latter – 0.05g/dl – does tally with national law. The WHO data shows seat-belt use was lower in Bolivia (3.5%), India (7.3%), Peru (15.8%) and Ecuador (26%) than in South Africa (31%). Dr Lee Randall, an independent researcher on road safety and co-founder of the Road Ethics Project, told Africa Check that this category ignores other motor vehicles, such as motorcycles, which 'form a very dominant part of the traffic mix in many countries, especially in Africa and South-East Asia'. For speed limit data, Zutobi used Wikipedia. While it isn't considered reliable as anyone can edit it, the figure of 120km/h is correct. Other sources used in the survey include the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the European Road Safety Observatory. But these don't have data for the majority of the world's 197 countries. South Africa ranks 'somewhere in the middle' Dr Randall has previously flagged significant issues with the research methods used to compile the 2022 report. She told Africa Check that her reservations still stand. 'The surveys are not scientifically sound. They [Zutobi] do not explain how they selected the countries they analysed, and don't justify why they are based on a sample which is heavily skewed towards high-income and upper-middle income countries and omits every single low-income country in the world.' According to Randall, apart from safe speeds, the report focuses mainly on driver behaviours. This ignored other important factors of road traffic safety, such as safe vehicles, roadside safety and post-crash care, she said. 'Had a more representative sample of countries been chosen – from all regions and all income categories – it would be clear that South Africa is somewhere in the middle of the list, not at the bottom.' This article was originally published on Africa Check, an organisation that identifies important public statements, interrogate the best available evidence and publish fact-checking reports to guide public debate. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Farmers warn of continued food price hikes due to multiple factors beyond their control: 'Food inflation could increase'
Has your grocery bill left you shocked lately? Across the globe, food prices are rising. In places like South Africa, the increases are sharp and with no end in sight, making it harder for some households to make ends meet. The latest numbers from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group's Household Affordability Index paint a clear picture of the struggle many families are facing. Founded in 2018 "in response to the unjust and unequal political economy of South Africa," according to their website, the organization publishes the HAI monthly. The report analyzes "the average cost of the foods prioritised and bought first in the household food basket," per the South African outlet Independent Online. From December 2024 to January 2025, the report shows that the average cost of essential foods rose by 1%, an increase of 28.49 rands (roughly $1.44 USD at the time of publish), according to IOL. The outlet also noted an increase from the same time last year of 3.5% or R99.07 (around $5.02 USD) for the same grocery basics. Meanwhile, per IOL, the National Agricultural Marketing Council reported a 0.6% increase on the items in its own food basket between November 2024 and December 2024. Extreme weather events are playing a significant role in escalating food prices around the world. Economist Casey Sprake told IOL, "Weather events such as El Niño led to a drop in maize production, primarily white maize, which saw the price hike due to lower local supply and higher demand from Southern Africa." El Niño reportedly charged a record-breaking drought in the region throughout much of 2024, devastating harvests in multiple Southern African countries. To zero in on just one crop, the country has ranked first in Africa and 11th globally in maize production, according to a 2024 report from Business Insider. Hits to this food's production are not inconsequential: The corn industry is a major employer in the region, and corn is a staple locally as well as in many cultures around the world. Indeed, rising food prices are a global problem. Tea, similarly, is a diet staple, a source of employment, and an important export for Turkey, where drier and hotter conditions have recently threatened its yields. Rice harvests have been jeopardized by extreme heat and flooding in Japan and Sri Lanka, respectively — the crop being of cultural and economic significance in both countries. Do you worry about how much food you throw away? Definitely Sometimes Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. IOL also spoke with Sprake about meat prices, which he said are influenced by "animal diseases, exchange rates, and seasonal supply fluctuations." It's worth noting that disease spread itself can be compounded by environmental factors, including volatile weather. It might seem easy for some to shrug off a few extra dollars here and there, but these price surges signal much bigger issues. For South African households already facing financial strain, higher grocery bills may only add to the burden. "If pressure on the local currency intensifies, food inflation could increase, as imported goods and global commodity prices would become more expensive," Sprake said. The rising cost of living also highlights the fragility of the country's food systems, which are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events and fluctuations in global markets. If these trends continue, more people will struggle to afford basic necessities, contributing to more widely felt food insecurity and economic instability. While the future of food prices remains uncertain, there are efforts underway to help stabilize costs. Local agriculture initiatives and smarter supply chain management are at the forefront of these efforts. Supporting sustainable farming practices and policies that can strengthen local food systems will be essential to keeping prices down and buttressing food security. On a personal level, buying local and supporting farmers in your community can make a real difference. To tackle the root causes — like climate disruptions and currency fluctuations — governments and communities alike need to step up. As we move forward, it's clear that price increases are just one more example of how unchecked heat-trapping pollution and the extreme weather it causes are pushing our planet — and our wallets — closer to the edge. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
