cost of livinglatest news & developments
Risk response: When single women dominate the first-time buyer market in a country with chronic unemployment and rising living costs it tells us that traditional safety nets have failed. Photo: Freepik/AI

Single women lead home buying

Many of them buy for control over their own lives and protection rather than prestige. That’s worrying

  • Eyaaz
5 min read
The future of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant beyond the March 2027 extension remains uncertain. Archive photo: Chris Gilili

Future of SRD grant uncertain, treasury says

The Universal Basic Income Coalition said the government’s proposals to link the grant to employment-related conditions could exclude eligible beneficiaries

  • Eyaaz
3 min read
The cost of petrol will fall by more than 60 cents a litre, while diesel users will benefit from reductions of up to R1.50 a litre. . (Oupa Nkosi)

Fuel prices to fall sharply, driven by lower global oil markets

From 7 January, 93-grade unleaded petrol will decrease by 62 cents a litre while 95-grade petrol will cost 66 cents less

  • Eyaaz
1 min read
Xenophobic South Africans base their beliefs on apartheid-like differences such as people from elsewhere on the continent have darker skins. Photo: Photo: Hanna Brunlof (file)

In South Africa, when expectations collapse the poor revolt against the downtrodden foreigners

Revolutions are seeded not just in hunger, but in the fear of decline, particularly among those who thought they had escaped it

6 min read
With soaring costs of living and priority given to paying off debts, fewer people are putting away adequate amounts that might one day give them the option of stepping away from full-time employment.

Editorial: Retirement a daunting prospect

A declining number of middle class people are saving for retirement in South Africa

  • Eyaaz
2 min read
Employers and domestic workers can contribute a national domestic workers’ pension fund operated through mobile-based platforms for easy registration and tracking contributions. (File photo)

Union demands pension fund for domestic workers

About 850 000 people are employed as domestic workers in South Africa, contributing to 5.2% of the country’s total employment

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
Eskom are set to hike electricity prices by 12.74%. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Eskom’s unaffordable tariff hikes need a review

Massive proposed electricity price increases will leave many South Africans having to choose between buying food or having power

  • Eyaaz
4 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa. (File photo)

Ramaphosa’s speech to parliament listed South Africa’s old problems – but no new solutions

The address should have set out how things would be done differently and better under the new government, instead of being a wish list

  • Des Erasmus
5 min read
Kenyan president William Ruto participates in a joint press conference with U.S. president Joe Biden in the East Room at the White House on May 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The political education of Kenyan president William Ruto

When he came in as president, he destroyed the old system but failed to build something new – and now Ruto is paying the price

  • Des Erasmus
5 min read
Moody’s rating agency

Moody’s concerned about Kenya’s capacity to implement measures to improve fiscal position

The Kenyan government said it would reduce spending to compensate for the scrapped tax measures.

2 min read
A gateman sits beside the banner of the National Labour Congress (NLC) at the entrance to the Federal High Court of Nigeria after unions began an indefinite strike in Abuja, on June 3, 2024. (Photo by KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

Protests in African nations have more than doubled in the past five years

Struggling economies on the continent are leaving many unable to afford basic staples

  • Des Erasmus
4 min read
The cost of living in South Africa is increasing and it is hurting consumers’ pockets everywhere. Photo: Getty Images

How much does bread actually cost?

It’s not a straightforward answer, but Julius Malema should have been able to at least estimate This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member. Register Registration enables: – M&G newsletters access – notifications – the best possible experience Already registered? Login here Want to subscribe and get even more benefits? Explore our subscription offers

  • Eyaaz
1 min read