‘I might not be able to use my car anymore’

Motorists, businesses and commuters brace for the pinch of the fuel hikes as they try to make ends meet with ever shrinking income.

Sowetan took to the streets to ask people what the impact of the hike would be on their lives. 

Long-distance taxi driver Dan Lekgwabe said the industry was taking a knock as commuters could no longer afford to travel.

“I transport people from Johanesburg to Lebowakgomo in Limpopo and it costs R288 a person for 15 people and recently our trips are only on a Friday because we have seen a decline in people travelling during the week. That does not even cover the petrol for a return trip. This means I have to wait for another week before I can return with another load.

“Like today, I did not have any customers... so that means I have made no money. On top of that, competition is stiff because people are starting to use buses and other alternatives. Our business is suffering.”

Grandmother of four Jabulile Ngwenya, who runs a Kota joint in Protea Glen, Soweto, said: “I can’t increase my prices, instead I have to opt for cheaper products of lesser quality so I can retain my customers. On top of that I have school fees to pay for my two granddaughters, transport fare as well as our upkeep in the house,” she said.

Bekezela Chiya of the Bekezela meat joint, an informal eatery at the West Gate taxi rank in Johannesburg, that specialises in inyama ye ntloko (cow head meat), said he had just increased food prices as his business was suffering after the two-year lockdown.

“My supplier increased his prices and this led to me increasing my plate from R60 to R65 in September. This hardly made a difference because I still have four employees to pay and I have to include transport costs for the collection of the meat.

“Since the lifting of the lockdown, I have not been consistent with payments to my employees who should get R1,000 each. Sometimes I can only pay half their stipends so I can make sure we have enough to get more supplies.

“Now petrol prices are going up, I can’t increase my prices again, it will chase away my customers. This means I will still be operating at a loss. The situation is really bad.”

Motorist Ishmael Nabhan said he uses R300 petrol daily to conduct his work while also attending to personal matters.

“It’s not even a full tank. I also use my car for my family needs and running errands. This means all my money might end up being used on petrol because that’s already R1,500 a week. I might not be able to use my car any more with this increase.”

Thabisile Mathebula said she spends almost a quarter of her salary on petrol to go to work. The mother of one said she spends about R1,500 on her five-year-old daughter’s school fees and food.

“I travel from Soweto to Midrand and that costs me about R500 a week. That’s R2,000 from my salary of R9,000. I can’t use a taxi because I work really odd hours and sometimes there are no taxis available.

“Sometimes my mother helps me out with my daughter and that means I might need more of her help because I doubt my salary will go up anytime soon."

sibiyan@sowetan.co.za