Consumers face hunger

Consumers in South Africa are cutting back on electricity and food to make ends meet, according to the latest Debt Rescue survey findings.

- Ina Opperman

The survey reveals that 46% of consumers go without basic necessities each month when the money runs out, while the household debt-to-income ratio is projected to hover around an astounding 65% in 2024 in the current cost-of-living crisis.

The latest Debt Rescue survey, conducted to better understand the socioeconomic challenges facing consumers, paints a grim picture of millions of citizens living hand-to-mouth, unable to afford enough food or electricity to sustain themselves, while battling to feed and clothe their children. A disturbing 31% of people polled said they had to cut down their living expenses significantly, specifically in categories such as electricity 23%) and food 23%), while 25% switched to more affordable medical aid options and a 56% were unable to afford medical aid at all. Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue, said it is unconscionable that national energy regulator Nersa can decide to make sweeping structural changes to electricity tariff structures that will place this basic utility out of reach of millions of people.