Cost of living crisis: how KZN families are sacrificing festive joy for school necessities

WITH the festive season upon us, Durban families report growing anxiety with rising living costs forcing difficult choices between holiday celebrations and January's back-to-school expenses.

Community leaders highlighted how single parents and grant-dependent households are particularly affected by what one parent describes as a 'financial marathon'.

Phoenix community leader Sham Maharaj said December brought a combination of “cultural expectations, social pressures, and rising costs” which are difficult to manage.

“Many feel stretched by the need to buy groceries for family gatherings, travel to see relatives, and buying gifts for children. The spike in food and transport costs makes even basic festive traditions feel out of reach for many households,” Maharaj said.

He said the rising living costs throughout the year had left households entering December already financially strained.

“By December, households are often already running short due to increases in rent, electricity, and fuel. The festive season becomes a period of financial anxiety rather than a time of rest,” he said.

Single-parent households, low-income families, and families relying on social grants face the heaviest pressure, Maharaj said.

“The festive season pressures, higher food prices, school preparations, and social expectations, could push these families into debt or force them to go without essentials,” he said.

He added that the emotional burden on parents was immense.

“The challenge is finding ways to be present and joyful while managing the stress of not having enough money for gifts, special meals, or outings.”

Maharaj also warned that the back-to-school costs hit families “at the worst possible time.”

“Parents said they barely recovered from the December spending when are hit with buying uniforms, stationery, school shoes, and transport fees. Many parents openly said they had to make difficult decisions about whether to spend money on holiday activities or save for school expenses,” he said.

Jo Moodley, general manager of the Tongaat Child Welfare Society, said many basic needs were becoming luxuries.

“Groceries, school registration fees and school uniforms, rising costs of insurance. The average food basket of basic items has increased so much, families are no longer able to afford any extras associated with the festive season,” Moodley said.

She said families with limited incomes, especially single parents, faced the greatest strain.

“There are no extras for luxury items such as sweet treats, desserts, presents under the tree, takeaways are often too expensive. More often than not, those items need to be secured before the festive season or many families will land at our door” she said.

Moodley added that school expenses were becoming “exorbitant,” leaving families forced to choose between festive spending and educational needs. 

“Most families are forced to choose school needs as they can’t afford both. Many people rely on social grants so they cannot make ends meet,” she said.

Chatsworth community leader Brandon Pillay echoed these concerns, and said food insecurity remained the biggest challenge.

“Food is the biggest challenge. People are struggling to have basic supplies. At times they are not even able to cover health or medical expenses. It is a struggle not just around this time of the year but throughout the year. It is painful to see families not having the basics,” Pillay said.

He added that social-grant-dependent households, including pensioners, single parents, and child-headed households, were the hardest hit.

“Many homes are reliant on Sassa grants and can barely cover their rental, electricity or water bills. Christmas is a time of giving, it is a time of joy and cheer. Parents try by all means to at least have a decent meal but they cannot even get a toy or gift for their little ones,” he said. “Some of the school stationery lists are crazy. It is not easy for families who have little or no income. This is a tough one. Some families cut down during the festive season in order to do back to school shopping,” Pillay said.

Families: 

Malvern parent Sidney Maharaj said it was a balancing act between festive expectations and school costs.

“It is really tough when the festive season comes so close to schools reopening. There are school fees, books and uniforms on one side and the festive season expectations on the other side. It is a lot for any parent. I struggle with my kids wanting fun outings. As a parent I want to give them joy, but the budget has its own limits,” he said.

He said simple celebrations and budgeting had become essential.

“I tend to keep the festive activities simple to avoid an empty bank balance in January. Sometimes the guilt of saying ‘no’ feels heavier than the actual expenses. But teaching them early about budgeting and prioritising is also a gift,” said Maharaj.

In Stanger, Jill Munsamy said the season felt like “a financial marathon”.

“I am constantly juggling hat we want to do as a family and what we can actually afford,” she said.

She added that careful budgeting and managing expectations had become a daily task for many parents.

“Budgeting has become a daily task, cutting down on non-essentials, planning home-based celebrations, and explaining to the kids why we can’t say ‘yes’ to everything. It is tough, but we are managing slowly, trying to keep the joy without breaking the bank,” said Munsamy. 

Chatsworth resident Craig Govender said parents were under immense emotional pressure.

“Honestly, at this time of the year, it feels like the wallet gets no break at all,” he said.

He said transparency with children and simpler celebrations had become necessary.

“I am learning to cope by being very transparent with them, explaining the difference between needs and wants, planning one special outing instead of many, and keeping celebrations simpler but meaningful. It is not easy, and sometimes the guilt is real, but this is the reality for so many of us right now,” said Govender.

Phoenix parent Larissa Govinsamy said daily financial calculations had become the norm.

“The festival season is meant to bring joy, but it also brings the pressure for gifts, food, travel and new clothes. This year especially, the financial load has been heavy,” she said.

Govinsamy added that despite the difficulties, families continued to find ways to cope.

“While we want to give them those experiences, we also have to think long-term, everything adds up. So we cope by planning carefully, choosing budget-friendly activities, celebrating at home with relatives, and reminding ourselves that children remember the love and laughter more than the price of things. It is difficult, but parents always find a way, even if it means tightening the belt a little,” said Govinsamy. 

According to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity group’s data from the November 2025 Household Affordability Index, showed that:

• The average cost of the household food basket is R5 413,53. The average cost of the household food basket decreased by R27,07 (-0,5%), from R5 440,60 in October 2025 to R5 413,53 in November 2025.
• The average cost of the household food basket increased by R52,49 (1,0%), from R5 361,04 in November 2024 to R5 413,53 in November 2025. Food pricing trends in November 2025.
• In November, of the 44 foods tracked in the basket:  17 foods increased in price, and 27 foods decreased in price. 

POST