JOHANNESBURG - South Africans are feeling the pinch like never before.
WATCH: Discussion | Release of report on cost of living trends
A new Cost of Living Report from the Competition Commission reveals that households, especially the poorest, are under severe pressure as food, electricity, and transport costs continue to rise faster than incomes.
Over the past five years, electricity has jumped by nearly 70% and water by 50%, leaving families forced to choose between putting food on the table or keeping the lights on.
Even staple foods like bread, maize meal, and sunflower oil are showing worrying signs of price stickiness.
The report warns that these pressures are deepening inequality and pushing millions closer to poverty.
James Hodge, Chief Economist, and Acting Deputy Commissioner at the Competition Commission discussed this with eNCA.