South African motorists are set to face steeper fuel costs from Wednesday, 6 May, with increases in both petrol and diesel exceeding earlier projections.

Rising fuel prices are continuing to push up the cost of food, with the price of a basic nutritional basket for a seven-person household now sitting 12.4% above the national minimum wage.

After April delivered record-breaking increases in petrol and diesel prices—partly cushioned by a temporary R3 per litre tax relief—South Africans are anxiously awaiting clarity on what lies ahead for May.

Fears that the conflict in the Middle East will trigger a steep surge in South Africa’s food prices may be overstated, with new insights suggesting the impact could be more contained than initially expected.

For many households, the real cost of driving is already higher than they think. Calculations using the Automobile Association’s current vehicle rates show that a typical 7.5km round trip – the average return journey for a Checkers Sixty60 delivery - can cost significantly more than the R36 delivery fee.

Fresh figures from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) indicate that South Africans could soon face the largest single-month fuel price increase on record, with petrol set to far exceed any previous hike.

On 25 February 2026, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana addressed Parliament with a message framed around recovery. His narrative traced the country’s journey from financial distress to cautious renewal.

The national Budget, delivered this week by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on behalf of National Treasury, reinforces government’s commitment to fiscal consolidation in a constrained economic environment.

As South Africans prepare for the upcoming National Budget Speech, many households are reflecting on how potential economic adjustments may influence their monthly expenses.