• Portia July says her family of six now survives on groceries worth R1,500 to R3,000 a month, which often run out before month-end.

• She spends R2,700 on transport for her children and borrows WiFi from neighbours when she can’t afford to pay for it.

Life has become too expensive for Portia Sibongile July, a mother of four from Lower Crossroads in Philippi East, Cape Town.

She says she used to buy clothes for her family whenever she wanted to, but not anymore.

“I used to buy clothes anytime, but now I only buy twice a year and not a lot,” she said. “Everything has gone up while salaries stay the same.”

Her family of six used to live more comfortably. Now, she says, even food runs out before the end of the month.

“In some months I buy R3,000 worth of groceries, but by the 22nd it’s finished. Then we eat bread and eggs,” she said. “Other months I can only afford R1,500, so I buy basics that last longer.”

Her monthly bills are steep: R2,700 for her children’s transport, R500 for electricity and R350 for WiFi.

“When I can’t pay for WiFi, I ask my neighbour to help my kids connect so they can do homework,” she said.

Before prices went up, July used to take her children out to eat at restaurants.

“We used to go out and have our favourite meal, but not anymore,” she said. “Now I save that money for something more important.”

She said even small joys, like going out alone for a break, are no longer possible.

“We all hope things will get better, but for now everything is expensive. We can’t do what we used to,” she said.

Pictured above: A mother and her daughter.

Image source: Pexels