Load-shedding continues to take a toll on vulnerable communities in Germiston because the ongoing power cuts have resulted in farmers charging higher prices for their produce.
This knock-on effect has increased the cost of basic food items and made it difficult for low-income earners, senior citizens, and charities to access affordable food.
This was revealed in a reply to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mbali Hlophe.
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According to Hlophe, fresh produce farmers were forced to pass the cost of an alternative electricity supply onto retailers, an increased cost borne by the poor consumer.
Furthermore, the price of goods like chicken, pork, and vegetables had increased due to low supply and high consumer demand.
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Bronwynn Engelbrecht said this was cause for concern.
“This is worrying because many of our residents cannot afford basic food items to sustain themselves and their families.
“In addition, the Gauteng Provincial Government has failed to indicate exactly how high the cost of food has risen due to load-shedding,” said Engelbrecht.
GCN spoke to street vendors selling fruits and vegetables and asked how their profits had been affected.
Zelia Zugumze said business was poor. “We hardly make any profit. We are just selling for survival. The same box of apples we used to buy for R80 now costs R150.
“Everything is going up, and that also means I must adjust my prices, which also affects my customers because I still need to pay for transport to get to the market,” said Zugumze.
As a single mother, her children rely on her to provide for them.
“Now, I cannot properly provide for my family because the money goes to stock, and you are lucky if you make a profit,” said Zugumze.
Resident Elaine Jamieson (72) said food prices were devastating for the elderly.
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“We can’t afford the basics anymore. Things are very expensive. Fruits and veggies are pricey, and the grant is not enough to cover the cost of living. The government needs to consider some assistance to the elderly because we are suffering,” said Jamieson.
NPOs are also feeling the pinch of food price hikes.
Rest-a-While Primrose Community Centre for the aged’s manager, Trudy Carreira, said they felt the heat of food price hikes.
“We can no longer buy fruits and veggies as regularly as we used to. We offer a service to our elderly and need to ensure they get fed, but we had to cut the number of people we feed because the rand does not go far now,” said Carreira.
She said the food price hikes hurt the elderly.
“We see how the food hikes affected our elderly. They can’t afford basics, and through centres like ours, we try to ensure they are eating healthily, but we are also feeling the pitch,” said Carreira.
