The General Industries Workers’ Union of South Africa (Giwasa) is calling for strict price controls on essential food items.

The union has expressed outrage at a report from the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) showing that food inflation has jumped to 4.7%, a 16-month high.

Giwausa President Mametlwe Sebei says they want the nationalisation of the manufacturing of food to mitigate the effects of food inflation.

Sebei says, “It is catastrophic because what you are looking at, it’s not just the price of food in general, it is the fact that it is precisely those essential body building, you know, proteins and vegetables as well as staples like maize meal that have actually skyrocketed. It would be devastating to communities that already are battling under the pressure of the cost of living crisis.”- Reporting by Kholo Tefo.

PODCAST: Interview with Sebei on SAFM’s First Take Programme: