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Families feel pinch as high prices bite

Namhla Tshisela and Marisa

Namhla Tshisela and Marisa

Tina Sheriff, 29, a mother of two, runs a small clothing business in Groblers Park, Roodepoort on the West Rand.

"The recent food and fuel price increases have been hard on me because I spend more money on basic foods such as bread and meat and other household goods," she said.

"A few months ago I used to pay about R150 for disposable napkins for my daughter. That amount has now doubled because I pay almost R300 for 120 nappies.

"The increase in the price of bread has affected me severely. Just the other day I gave my nephew R7 to buy bread from the shop. He came back with nothing because he was R1 short."

Thandi Khumalo, 38, of Booysens, Johannesburg, said to tighten her household's income, she had been compelled to cut down on the amount of money they spent on meat.

"I can't afford to buy meat anymore. Because the price of food has gone up we have had to spend money more sparingly," said the mother of two.

"I am unemployed and my family relies on my husband's meagre wages. My husband, a taxi driver, brings home R1600 a good month. It is tough because we have to send money to my children in KwaZulu-Natal who live with their grandparents."

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