“R100 Is Nothing Now”: Mzansi People Reflect on Harsh Reality of SA’s Cost of Living in a Video
- South Africans are struggling with the high cost of living, with many expressing frustration that R100 can barely cover basic necessities
- The value of R100 has significantly decreased, with some people saying it can only buy essential items like one loaf of bread, milk, and other basic necessities
- The rising cost of living has disproportionately affected working-class and impoverished households, sparking calls for the government to address the issue
In a country where the cost of living seems to climb daily, R100 no longer holds the value it once did. A group of South Africans voiced their frustration, with many saying the amount barely covers basic necessities, and many agreed with their sentiments.
Source: TikTok
South Africans frustrated as R100 struggles for basics
A news reporter from E news took to the streets to hear from the people of Mzansi, who expressed how a R100 note means nothing in today's world.
In the video, a young woman expressed candidly when questioned what one can buy with R100 in 2025, and she shared the following:
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"The cost of living is very high; R100 can't even buy basic items lately. You can't even buy cosmetics. I don't know, the tax has gone higher, but there is something that needs to be done because you're just left thinking about the bare minimum, with nothing even supplying anything at home."
The same woman went on to add and advise the government on how to make life easier for the average South African by saying:
"So, a little bit needs to be tackled when it comes to our prices. They must just fix the current spaces to accommodate everyone because you have people who are still earning R350. What does it buy now? Even R3500 can't accommodate any groceries anymore. So, they must just think about the prices and maybe let the tax go down so people can still have a steady living."
Another woman also shared her thoughts when interviewed by the reporter, saying that R100 can only buy one loaf of bread and milk in this current economy.
"That's all that we can afford," says the lady.
More men and women shared the same sentiments, and the footage that was posted by @newsnexussa on 31 July 2025 on TikTok went viral. Many online users in South Africa agreed with their takes.
The cost of living in South Africa has almost doubled between 2011 and 2023. The "Trend in the Cost of Living in South Africa" report, which was published on Friday, May 16, 2025, disclosed this., which was published on Friday, May 16, 2025, disclosed this. It is evident that working-class and impoverished households are being disproportionately affected by rising food prices and electricity rates.
Watch the video below:
SA chimes in on high cost of living in Mzansi
People in South Africa took to social media to share their thoughts on the high cost of living in Mzansi.
Olivia Sebotse said:
"At Shoprite, you get 2kg of rice, spaghetti, 2.5kg of maize meal and a soya mince and a 750ml oil at only R99.00."
Tshegofatso Mokgotho added:
"Toothpaste ke R50."
Koketso Smookey wrote:
"R100 rand is 35units of electricity."
Skyrams888 stated:
"Cost of living is really high, even one round ke R150."
Ronewabee commented:
"Spent R100 on lunch today, R100 is the new R50."
Source: TikTok
South Africans vent on high cost of living in Mzansi
- Briefly News reported that one lady shared her take on the cost of living in Mzansi as she expressed her sympathy for the average South African in this economy.
- A woman on TikTok, Precious White, could no longer face the challenges that came with living in Cape Town and returned home.
- One man in South Africa had had enough of the high cost of living and took to social media to vent his frustration, which many could relate to.
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Source: Briefly News
