Basic commodities prices have increased by 30% in two years
Every liSwati that visits a retail shop to buy basic commodities can attest to the price increase of items in that a certain amount no longer fills up a basket as had been the case in recent years.
The Eswatini Consumer’s Forum disclosed that in its assessment, it has observed that basic commodities have increased by 30 per cent in the past two years, which has been a grave concern for low and medium-earning emaSwati.
The forum’s Chairperson Mandla Ntshakala said the situation about prices for basic commodities increasing drastically over the years has been a cause for concern for emaSwati with stagnant salaries.
“If you talk to a lot of people, many are no longer able to sustain themselves because, on the other hand, some have to pay rent, electricity, and gas all of which have increased prices as well resulting in the inability to control their lives,” he said.
Ntshakala made an example of 10kg rice which he said was less than E100 two years ago, but today costs E150 or above.
He stated that frankly, there is no money in the liSwati’s pocket anymore and it has been hard for consumers lately as many have questioned how they are surviving in these changing times and the economy.
A solution to this conundrum according to Ntshakala is for the country to put forth food security.
“We have water and ample land as a country which is underutilised, but then again, the question becomes, where do we start, because when one decides to start farming, funding is required,” he said.
Therefore, the Eswatini government needs to intervene in that aspect and ensure that emaSwati ventures into small-scale farming for survival and sustainability.
Worth noting is that over the years, His Majesty King Mswati III has been calling for the different sectors of agriculture to explore technology in the farming sector to maximize food production.
The King advised the relevant sectors that technology would not only help in achieving maximum produce from a small piece of land but also ensure the produce is safe from any kind of disaster that might occur.
His Majesty further advised the nation that the time to reach first-world status draws nearer, therefore the country needs to explore other methods of farming because such will help the country realise its desire to be self-sufficient.
In 2022, when speaking during the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Tunisia, His Majesty highlighted the key areas requiring support under the existing Japan-Africa relations.
These are water harvesting, reliable laboratories to enhance food safety, technological skills for research and development, and energy generation projects to meet the country’s energy selfsufficiency targets.
His Majesty said that pursuant to the 2030 agenda for sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the government of Eswatini had prioritized the safeguarding of food security and ending hunger.
The King stated that efforts had been made to promote sustainable agriculture and create agri-food systems that are more resilient to the current and future impacts of climate change.
In terms of salaries, Ntshakala advised that the country needs to benchmark with other countries in the region.
Specifically neighbouring South Africa, whose currency value is the same as lilangeni but with a different minimum wage.
“There shouldn’t be a huge difference in the salaries between the two countries because we’re almost at par with them in everything including the prices of commodities, therefore in salary review, such should be considered,” Ntshakala said.
The Chairperson further stated that many emaSwati are venturing into a small business, whether as a side hustle or a source of income, but because many are lacking in skills and capital, many of these businesses tend to collapse.
Therefore, the government will have invest greatly in small businesses as well.
The Eswatini Financial Times desk visited some of the retail shops in Mbabane to find out what a person who earns E1,500 can buy in terms of basic commodities.
Basic items looked at included, a mealie meal, rice, chicken portions, soap, cooking oil, beans, salt, sugar, emasi, canned fish, and teabags.
A 10kg rice was found to be E149.99, 10kg mealie meal at E115.99, 4kg beans at E179.99, an 800g bar soap at E20.99, canned fish at E32.99, teabags at E47.99, chicken portions at E182.99, cooking oil at E65.99, emasi at E29.99, 3kg sugar at E57.99 and 60 eggs to at E124.99. These summed up excluding vegetables, toiletries, commodities.
A consumer with E1,500 in their hand can purchase the following:
Item
10kg rice 10kg mealie meal 4kg beans 800g bar soap
Canned Fish
Teabags 5kg Chicken portions 2l Cooking oil 2l Emasi 3kg sugar 60 Eggs 1kg salt
Amount
E149.99
E115.99
E179.99
E20.99
E32.99
E47.99
E182.99 to E1,010, and other