By Selloane Ntshonyana
- The family’s monthly income dropped from R9,000 to R6,000 after one partner lost her job, making rent, electricity and food unaffordable.
- To survive, the couple moved into an informal settlement, sent their children to live with relatives, and cut food spending almost in half.
A couple who were living in Pimville say losing one income forced them to move into an informal settlement after they could no longer afford rent.
The family moved to Slovoville a few months ago after one partner lost her job. Before the job loss, the household earned a combined R9,000 a month. This dropped to R6,000, making it impossible to cover basic living costs.
While living in Pimville, the family paid R2,500 a month for rent and about R1,000 for electricity.
“We had to choose between paying rent or buying food,” the father said.
The couple decided to move to Slovoville, where they bought a stand and built their own shack. They said they bought the stand in 2022, knowing it might come in handy one day.
The move helped them cut out rent and electricity costs, but it came with painful sacrifices.
Their two school-going children were sent to live with relatives so they could continue attending school. This also helped the family avoid daily transport costs.
Transport to work is now their biggest expense. The father spends R80 a day on transport and works six days a week, taking a large portion of the household’s monthly income.
Food costs have also changed. The family previously spent about R2,500 a month on groceries. This has now been reduced to around R1,300.
Because they do not have electricity for a fridge, they no longer buy groceries in bulk and instead buy meat in small pieces.
They now cook using a 10kg gas cylinder, which costs R180 and is refilled twice a month.
The couple said they have also had to change how they feed their 11-month-old baby. They stopped buying formula milk and puréed foods from shops, and the baby now eats vegetables and the same food prepared for the rest of the family.
“We are just trying to survive with what we have,” the father said.
The couple said moving into an informal settlement was not their first choice, but it became necessary after their income dropped. They hope their situation will improve if the unemployed partner is able to find work again.
Pictured above: Slovoville.
Image source: Flickr
