As South Africans continue to grapple with a high cost of living, the Department of Employment and Labour recently announced a 5% increase to the National Minimum Wage, raising it to R30.23 per hour effective 1 March 2026. While the government frames this as a necessary shield for vulnerable workers, critics argue that these figures still fall dangerously short of what is actually required to lead a dignified life in today's economy. Is this an effective step toward social justice, or are we simply formalising a 'poverty wage' that fails to cover basic essentials like food, transport, and electricity? To unpack the numbers and look at the human reality behind them, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr Dick Forslund, Senior Economist at the Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC)