Mom: "Everyone says 'be strong', but strength doesn’t pay for food!"
Just another South African trying to make ends meet on a tight budget.
A recent East Coast Breakfast article compared the prices of groceries in 2015 to 2025, and let's just say that the cost of living back then was miles apart from today.
In 2015, a loaf of bread cost R10.95, and 2L Sunflower Oil was R25.80.
Fast-forward to today, and we're paying between R18.00 and R25.00 for a loaf of bread, depending on your preference.
A South African mother, Natalja, shared a video of what she managed to get for R120. While she purchased a few staples, she barely got enough items to make a full meal.
"I had R120 to feed myself and my daughter. This is what it bought—no full meal. No relief. Everyone says 'be strong' — but strength doesn’t pay for food. I’m not sharing this for pity. I’m sharing it because this needs to be seen," she shared on TikTok.
She bought a loaf of bread, a carton of milk, a packet of naartjies, sugar, and cookies. She admitted that the cookies were "irresponsible" but she felt bad for her kid and wanted to treat her.
"This is not about budgeting. This is systematic cruelty dressed up like normal life. Then I feel guilty for complaining about being a mother trying to survive a world that charges you to exist," she continued.
Watch the video from TikTok.
@notthatnatalja I had R120 to feed myself & my daughter. This is what it bought. No full meal. No relief. Everyone says “be strong” — but strength doesn’t pay for food. I’m not sharing this for pity. I’m sharing it because this needs to be seen! #costofliving #southafrica #reallife #povertytruth #motherhoodunfiltered #survivaltalk #foodcrisis #realtalk ♬ original sound - Mike Capozzi
Some people share their opinions in the comments.
"Isn't milk in the sachets cheaper than carton? I don't think this was bad for R120. It just depends on what you want to make. I could have made a whole meal for R120. I think mindsets need to be changed. The reason for cookies is also not resonating with me. Kids don't need junk food. They need nutrition," one person commented.
Another came through with a suggestion: "Rice, dry beans/lentils, stock cubes, frozen vegetables are all items that will stretch a bit further!"
A third person said: "Had R200, bought 2L milk (R29), 750ml fish oil (R31.99), salt (R12.99), 2x Cadbury slabs (R34), cause snack for the five kids to share, 2x Nik Naks bags 135g (R22), Potatoes 2kg (R35), sweet potato 1kg (R19.99)."
South Africans are going through it, and not everyone can ask for help.
Searching for discount buys is the way to go. While it may be challenging to stretch your rand, it's not impossible if you know where to shop.
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Image Courtesy of iStock