The rate of inflation is spoken of in “year-on-year” terms, and it therefore does not have a major impact on the food basket in a shorter time-frame.

Wits Public Economy Project researcher, Thokozile Madonko said that this means that poorer households do not see the benefit of food price decreases. She was speaking ahead of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Medium Term Budget Speech.

Madonko explained that this why despite the inflation figures seeing a reduction, food prices remain the same or become more costly for lower-income households.

“He is likely to stay the course and not be bold in dealing with the real challenges confronting South Africa. The Minister will push ahead with the approach of fiscal consolidation, which she says is a fancy way of talking about budget cuts. The imposition of austerity has impacted the education sector with provincial departments needing to slash teaching posts. A move that causes overcrowding in classrooms and diminishes the attention a learner receives.” said Madonko.