South Africans are being hit with another cost-of-living squeeze as inflation climbed sharply to 4% in April, driven largely by soaring fuel prices that are now filtering through to food and transport costs.

The National Briefing · May 21, 2026 · 6m

South Africans are being hit with another cost-of-living squeeze as inflation climbed sharply to 4% in April, driven largely by soaring fuel prices that are now filtering through to food and transport costs. New data from Statistics South Africa shows households are already paying more for basic essentials, with economists warning that even more pressure could be on the way

Guest: Mervyn Abrahams - Programme Coordinator at the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBEJD)