Daily Maverick
Dailymaverick logo

South Africa

South Africa, Maverick Citizen

Food basket rises by R24 while grants increase by R10

Food basket rises by R24 while grants increase by R10
Naledi Sikhakhane
By Naledi Sikhakhane
3 Oct 2024
Facebook
0
Our food basket of 14 items increased by R24, sitting at over R400, which makes it unaffordable for a recipient of the Social Relief of Distress Grant. Meanwhile, millions more applied for the grant in September 2024.

Daily Maverick has been tracking the prices of 14 food items since 2022 in a simulation of what a person who receives only the Social Relief of Distress grant as an income can purchase. 

The Household Affordability Index by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity organisation found that 23 of the 44 foods in their basket increased, raising the price in September by R28,54. The average cost of the Household Food Basket is R5,255.68. The average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R99.91 (1,9%), from R5,155.77 in September 2023 to R5,255.68 in September 2024. 

“The cost of the core foods is still too expensive relative to low wages and social grants. The core foods, or foods which women tell us they prioritise and buy first, remain expensive. These foods ensure that families do not go hungry while also being the primary basis for meals (the starches of maize meal, rice, flour, samp, potatoes, bread), and inputs so that meals can be cooked (e.g. oil), and palatable (e.g. salt, onions, stock cubes, sugar),” the index reads.



“These 17 foods cost R2,860.84 in September 2024, and increased month-on-month. In relation to the value of social grants and minimum wages, families struggle even to afford these basic foods, and basic hygiene products. For a healthy populace, it is important that the cost of these foods is affordable, as this may allow women to include more nutritious foods into their family baskets, namely eggs, maas, vegetables and fruits, and meat,” the index reads.

Increase in social grants


The South African Social Security Agency announced an increase in social grant amounts, effective from 1 October 2024. There is a R10 increase for the Old Age grant, Disability grant, War Veterans grant and Care Dependency grant. This excludes the Social Relief of Distress grant that got an increase earlier in the year to R370, the Foster Care grant and the Child grant.

Meanwhile the R370-a-month Social Relief of Distress grant had three million more people apply for it in September 2024, totalling 17 million people. More than half of this figure, 9,2 million, have never been employed, according to the latest figures supplied by the South African Social Security Agency.

New Grant Amounts as of October 2024



  • Old Age Grant (below 75 years): increased from R2,180 (April 2024) to R2,190.

  • Old Age Grant (above 75 years): increased from R2,200 (April 2024) to R2,210.

  • War Veteran’s Grant: increased from R2,200 (April 2024) to R2,210.

  • Disability Grant: increased from R2,180 (April 2024) to R2,190.

  • Care Dependency Grant: increased from R2,180 (April 2024) to R2,190.


 The Institute for Economic Justice and #PayTheGrants, who are represented by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute, went to court last week over the Social Relief of Distress grant (R370).

The case challenges various procedural barriers that have been put in place that prevent eligible persons in desperate need from accessing the Social Relief of Distress grant. In a statement, the civil society group said: “We challenge the fact that the grant has been rolled back, both in terms of purchasing power and in terms of the number of people eligible, since it was introduced. This contradicts the government’s constitutional obligation to progressively realise (advance) the right to social assistance within the maximum available resources.”

Food inflation


After an 8-month downward trend, annual food & NAB inflation picked up in the latest index in August, rising to 4,7% from 4,5% in July. Most product groups registered higher annual rates, including bread and cereals; meat; fish; milk, eggs and cheese; oils and fats, and vegetables. Lower rates were recorded for fruit; sugar, sweets and desserts; and both hot and cold beverages, according to StatsSA.

Annual bread and cereals inflation quickened for a third successive month. Products with the largest annual price increases include rice (up 17,3%), pizza and pies (up 10,9%) and hot breakfast cereals (up 7,9%). The monthly rise in bread and cereals was 0,4%, with notable increases recorded for grain-based products such as bread flour (up 2,1%), brown bread (up 1,3%) and white bread (up 1,2%).

The Household affordability index calculations, using Pietermaritzburg-based figures for electricity and transport, and the average figure for a minimum nutritional basket of food for a family of four, show electricity and transport take up to 59,9% of an average worker’s wage of  R4,412.80 (R2,642.97/R4,412.80). 

“Food is bought after monies for transport and electricity have been paid for or set aside (leaving R1,769.83 – for food and everything else), and so in September 2024, Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity calculates that workers’ families will underspend on food by a minimum of 52,1% (having R1,769.83 left over after transport and electricity, and with food costing R3,692.09). In this scenario there is no possibility of a worker being able to afford enough nutritious food for her family,” the index reads.

“If the entire R1,769.83 all went to buy food, then for a family of four persons, we are looking at R442.46 per person per month. This is below the food poverty line of R796.” DM

Categories:

Tags: