Survive

After losing her job at Goodyear, a 43-year-old Gqeberha mother refused to give up. Instead, she used her payout to start a farming business.

With food, transport and school costs rising, Durban domestic worker Babhekile Mbatha says she survives by borrowing from loan sharks every month.

Durban has become the cheapest metro for groceries, but South African families are still battling as food prices continue to rise.

One small way to save on household costs is to use a lid when cooking.

South African families pay R153 more for monthly groceries as maize meal, chicken and cooking oil prices keep going up.

Bad news for your wallet: electricity bills are going up yet again in 2026 and 2027 after energy regulator Nersa admitted it messed up its maths.

Water and cleaning costs add up quickly. A simple way to cut back is to reuse the water you’ve already used to wash dishes.

When you pick up a loaf of bread at the shop, only a small slice of the price goes to the farmer who grew the wheat. Studies in South Africa show wheat producers usually get less than 20% of the final price.

This week’s everyday hack is about starting hot. Boil your water in the kettle first, then pour it into your pot or cup.

Working late nights and using e-hailing services to get home has put Lerato Mafera in dangerous situations, but she has no choice.

Nomthandazo Simalane switched to Rea Vaya to save money, but now she lives in fear of bus driver shootings.

Brenda Moholi regrets buying a house in Soweto. Her daily taxi commute is long, expensive and cuts into her time and salary.