South Africa’s Fuel Hike Deepens Crisis for Minimum-Wage Families

South African families will face another financial blow this week as fuel prices jump sharply from Wednesday, 2 September. Diesel will rise by nearly R3 per litre, petrol by R1.34, and paraffin by R2.13. The increase hits households that are already struggling to make ends meet. A family earning the minimum wage was already short by almost half of what they need for food—before this latest price rise. Paraffin is a key fuel for many low-income homes, used for cooking, heating, and lighting. The new hike means these basics will become even harder to afford. The combined effect of higher transport costs and steeper prices for essential fuels leaves stretched families with even less room in their monthly budgets. No relief is in sight as the cost of living continues to climb.