It's back to school time and following festive spending, parents still need to cough up a bit more for school uniform.
The Competition Commission recently announced plans to get tough on South Africa's school uniform monopolies, which force parents to pay thousands of rands for new school kit even though similar items can usually be bought elsewhere at a fraction of the cost.
According to a report by Bongani Mthethwa, Taschica Pillay and Matthew Savides of the Sunday Times, a major Gauteng school uniform manufacturer, who sells only to retailers, said kickbacks to principals by retailers was "common practice".
"Bribery of principals to ensure retailers get the business has been going on for a number of years. It's a mutually beneficial relationship - and the victims are the parents."
Sowetan LIVE paid a visit to 3 Joburg based selected school uniform suppliers as well as 3 retail stores to compare prices.
Specialised uniform shops pricelist:
Blazer - R550, R650, R799
Tunic - R299, R370
Jersey - R175
Pullover - R170
White socks x2 - R40
Winter skirt - R220
Long sleeve shirts x2 - R140
Tracksuits - R450
Tie - R50
Winter socks - R45
Beenie - R60
Scarf - R120
Gloves - R50
Sports shorts - R150
Sports t-shirt - R150
Sport skirt - R250
Shoes - R120, R349
School bag - R285
Red winter skirt - R260
White socks x3 - R60
Golf shirt - R165
Golf shirt - R165
Retail (RED)
Retail shops
Shoes - R250 (average)
Shirts - R45 - R150
Pants - R80 - R200
Skirts - R65 - R160
Shorts - R60 - R100
Tunic - R120
Socks x2 - R35 - R70
Jersey - R75
This is how much parents are paying for school uniform in 2017
It's back to school time and following festive spending, parents still need to cough up a bit more for school uniform.
The Competition Commission recently announced plans to get tough on South Africa's school uniform monopolies, which force parents to pay thousands of rands for new school kit even though similar items can usually be bought elsewhere at a fraction of the cost.
According to a report by Bongani Mthethwa, Taschica Pillay and Matthew Savides of the Sunday Times, a major Gauteng school uniform manufacturer, who sells only to retailers, said kickbacks to principals by retailers was "common practice".
"Bribery of principals to ensure retailers get the business has been going on for a number of years. It's a mutually beneficial relationship - and the victims are the parents."
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Sowetan LIVE paid a visit to 3 Joburg based selected school uniform suppliers as well as 3 retail stores to compare prices.
Specialised uniform shops pricelist:
Blazer - R550, R650, R799
Tunic - R299, R370
Jersey - R175
Pullover - R170
White socks x2 - R40
Winter skirt - R220
Long sleeve shirts x2 - R140
Tracksuits - R450
Tie - R50
Winter socks - R45
Beenie - R60
Scarf - R120
Gloves - R50
Sports shorts - R150
Sports t-shirt - R150
Sport skirt - R250
Shoes - R120, R349
School bag - R285
Red winter skirt - R260
White socks x3 - R60
Golf shirt - R165
Golf shirt - R165
Retail (RED)
Retail shops
Shoes - R250 (average)
Shirts - R45 - R150
Pants - R80 - R200
Skirts - R65 - R160
Shorts - R60 - R100
Tunic - R120
Socks x2 - R35 - R70
Jersey - R75