By Everson Luhanga
- New data from March shows rent went up and school fees jumped even higher, forcing parents to make hard choices.
- Families are moving to cheaper homes and using credit just to survive as daily living costs continue to go up.
South African families are struggling as the cost of rent and school fees continues to rise.
New data from Statistics South Africa shows rent went up by 4.0% in March 2026. School fees rose by 5.4% during the same time. Private school fees increased even more.
Rent and school fees are two of the biggest monthly costs for households. When both go up, budgets are stretched to the limit.
Sebastien Alexanderson from National Debt Advisors said families are now making hard choices. People are choosing between basic needs rather than cutting back on luxuries.
“Families are not choosing between luxuries anymore. They are choosing between survival priorities,” he said.
Some households pay their rent first and fall behind on school fees. Others keep their children in school but stretch their money to cover both costs.
Alexanderson said many people are using short-term credit to fill the gap. He said this creates a dangerous cycle because people are using debt to survive.
Some costs like fuel and certain foods have dropped. Alexanderson said this has not brought real relief because rising fixed costs wipe out any savings.
The financial pressure is changing how families live. Some people are moving to cheaper homes and moving further from work. Others are changing schools.
Alexanderson said families must protect their housing first. He said parents should speak to schools early if they cannot pay fees.
He warned people not to use high-interest credit for ongoing costs. He said getting financial advice early can help families avoid deeper debt.
Pictured above: A family.
Image source: Pexels
