The cost of simply getting through the month is becoming increasingly expensive for South Africans. Electricity and water prices are climbing, fuel and transport costs are putting pressure on household budgets, and those increases are filtering through to the price of basic goods and services. The latest Competition Commission Cost of Living Report paints a worrying picture — showing that many of the essentials households cannot live without are rising faster than overall inflation. Electricity prices, for example, increased by 8.1% in the year to July, while water tariffs rose by 10.1%. And this is not just about paying more at the till or a higher municipal bill. When the cost of fuel rises, it affects transport, distribution and ultimately the price of the goods we buy. So, as incomes struggle to keep pace, the question is: how much more pressure can the average South African household absorb before the cost of living becomes simply unaffordable?

The cost of simply getting through the month is becoming&nbsp;increasingly expensive for South Africans. Electricity and water&nbsp;prices are climbing, fuel and transport costs are putting pressure on&nbsp;household budgets, and those increases are filtering through to the&nbsp;price of basic goods and services. The latest Competition&nbsp;Commission Cost of Living Report paints a worrying picture &mdash;&nbsp;showing that many of the essentials households cannot live without&nbsp;are rising faster than overall inflation. Electricity prices, for example,&nbsp;increased by 8.1% in the year to July, while water tariffs rose by&nbsp;10.1%.&nbsp;And this is not just about paying more at the till or a higher municipal&nbsp;bill. When the cost of fuel rises, it affects transport, distribution and&nbsp;ultimately the price of the goods we buy. So, as incomes struggle&nbsp;to keep pace, the question is: how much more pressure can the&nbsp;average South African household absorb before the cost of&nbsp;living becomes simply unaffordable?

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

South Africans are earning, but increasingly struggling to keep  up ( Andiswa Sibhukwana - Competition Commission Economist and Co- author of the report )

For generations, we’ve looked at the world through maps and accepted what we see as reality. Europe appears enormous, Greenland looks almost as big as Africa, while the African continent often appears smaller than it actually is. But what if the map we grew up with has been giving us a distorted
picture of the world? The United Nations has now backed a push to promote map projections that represent Africa’s size more accurately, reigniting a much bigger conversation about how the continent has been portrayed to the rest of the world. Because this is not only about geography. Maps are powerful. They influence how we understand countries, continents and their importance in the global order. And for a continent with more than 1.4 billion people, vast natural resources and 54 countries, the question is whether Africa has also been made to look smaller in our minds than it really is.
So, if the map has distorted Africa’s physical size, have we also underestimated its political, economic and geopolitical significance? And perhaps the bigger question is: has Africa been made to feel
small for far longer than it has actually been?

For generations, we&rsquo;ve looked at the world through maps and&nbsp;accepted what we see as reality. Europe appears enormous,&nbsp;Greenland looks almost as big as Africa, while the African continent&nbsp;often appears smaller than it actually is.&nbsp;But what if the map we grew up with has been giving us a distorted picture of the world?&nbsp;The United Nations has now backed a push to promote map&nbsp;projections that represent Africa&rsquo;s size more accurately, reigniting a&nbsp;much bigger conversation about how the continent has been&nbsp;portrayed to the rest of the world.&nbsp;Because this is not only about geography. Maps are powerful. They&nbsp;influence how we understand countries, continents and their&nbsp;importance in the global order. And for a continent with more than&nbsp;1.4 billion people, vast natural resources and 54 countries, the question is whether Africa has also been made to look smaller in our&nbsp;minds than it really is. So, if the map has distorted Africa&rsquo;s physical size, have we also&nbsp;underestimated its political, economic and geopolitical significance?&nbsp;And perhaps the bigger question is: has Africa been made to feel small for far longer than it has actually been?

After 8 is After 8: CORRECT THE MAP: HAS THE WORLD MADE AFRICA LOOK  SMALL?

Spring Day is meant to signal a new season — warmer weather, brighter days and, for many young people, the familiar tradition of splashing water. But this year, celebrations in parts of Tshwane have
sparked serious concern after videos showed people being targeted without consent, vehicles being stopped, public transport damaged and commuters caught in the chaos. The issue took a tragic turn in Refilwe, Cullinan, where 21-year-old Tshepang Nyathi was allegedly stabbed to death after an altercation involving a 53-year-old man who was allegedly targeted with water. The suspect has been arrested and is expected to face a murder charge. Tshwane Bus Service says two buses were put out of operation after the celebrations, affecting more than 300 passengers, including pupils and students.
So, has a harmless tradition crossed a line? Should water-splashing games be banned, regulated through designated spaces, or is the real issue a lack of respect for consent, public property and safety? Let’s talk about it.

Spring Day is meant to signal a new season &mdash; warmer weather,&nbsp;brighter days and, for many young people, the familiar tradition of&nbsp;splashing water. But this year, celebrations in parts of Tshwane have sparked serious concern after videos showed people being targeted&nbsp;without consent, vehicles being stopped, public transport damaged&nbsp;and commuters caught in the chaos.&nbsp;The issue took a tragic turn in Refilwe, Cullinan, where 21-year-old&nbsp;Tshepang Nyathi was allegedly stabbed to death after an altercation&nbsp;involving a 53-year-old man who was allegedly targeted with water. The suspect has been arrested and is expected to face a murder&nbsp;charge.&nbsp;Tshwane Bus Service says two buses were put out of operation after&nbsp;the celebrations, affecting more than 300 passengers, including&nbsp;pupils and students. So, has a harmless tradition crossed a line? Should water-splashing&nbsp;games be banned, regulated through designated spaces, or is the&nbsp;real issue a lack of respect for consent, public property and safety?&nbsp;Let&rsquo;s talk about it.

After 8 is After 8: Spring Day Celebrations gone too far?

Tonight, we turn to a harrowing case that has shaken communities in South Africa and beyond. Two young South African girls, aged nine and 15, have finally returned home after nearly two years of
alleged trafficking in Malawi. According to authorities, the children were lured across the border
by perpetrators who had gained their family’s trust, only to have their passports confiscated and be confined in a house under mistreatment. While their mother and grandmother were released earlier this year, the girls remained in Malawi until they were rescued by local authorities in July. Today, Social Development Minister Dina Pule received them at OR Tambo International Airport, calling their return a critical step toward healing and family reunification. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation is now handling the criminal probe, with officials urging the public to treat this not as a missing persons case, but as alleged child trafficking and exploitation. As the girls begin their recovery, we ask if our country is winning the war against human trafficking. What are the warning signs? Are authorities doing enough and how communities can help protect vulnerable children.

Tonight, we turn to a harrowing case that has shaken communities&nbsp;in South Africa and beyond. Two young South African girls, aged&nbsp;nine and 15, have finally returned home after nearly two years of alleged trafficking in Malawi.&nbsp;According to authorities, the children were lured across the border by perpetrators who had gained their family&rsquo;s trust, only to have their&nbsp;passports confiscated and be confined in a house under&nbsp;mistreatment.&nbsp;While their mother and grandmother were released earlier this year,&nbsp;the girls remained in Malawi until they were rescued by local&nbsp;authorities in July.&nbsp;Today, Social Development Minister Dina Pule received them at OR&nbsp;Tambo International Airport, calling their return a critical step toward&nbsp;healing and family reunification.&nbsp;The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation is now handling the&nbsp;criminal probe, with officials urging the public to treat this not as a&nbsp;missing persons case, but as alleged child trafficking and&nbsp;exploitation. As the girls begin their recovery, we ask if our country is&nbsp;winning the war against human trafficking. What are the warning&nbsp;signs? Are authorities doing enough and how communities can help&nbsp;protect vulnerable children.

SA sisters arrive home after Malawi trafficking ordeal (Dr Tebogo Mabe - Director for Adoptions and International Social Services - Department of Social Development)

South Africans are earning, but increasingly struggling to keep up ( Andiswa Sibhukwana - Competition Commission Economist and Co- author of the report )

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