Zuko Komisa

- The average cost of a South African food basket rose by 1.3% (R67.99) this month, reaching a total of R5,401.44.
- Despite the monthly hike, grocery expenses remain 0.6% lower than they were during the same period in January 2025.
- Advocacy groups warn that even minor price increases place significant strain on families already facing New Year financial pressures.
The New Year has brought a familiar sting to the supermarket aisles.
According to the January 2026 Household Affordability Index, the average cost of a basic food basket has risen to R5,401.44, a 1.3% increase (R67.99) since December.
While this modest jump might seem negligible, it marks a tightening of the belt for millions of families already juggling back-to-school expenses.
There is a slight reprieve in the broader view: prices are technically 0.6% lower than they were this time last year.
Kaya Biz spoke to Sibusiso Mboto of the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group, who warns that these minor fluctuations do little to ease the daily pressure on the working class.
For many, the slight monthly climb is less about statistics and more about the difficult choice of what to leave behind at the till.
Listen to the full conversation here:
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