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?

<p>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?</p>

<p>METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope </p>

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 )