Inflation slows but food prices stay stubborn
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 | 2320 Views |
Higher and higher: Vegetables are leading price increases in the inflation calculation
In the 12 months to October, food inflation was measured at 6.5 percent down from 7.7 percent in September, representing the highest price increase for specific goods and services.
According to figures released by Statistics Botswana on Wednesday, the stubborn food prices are being driven largely by vegetables, where average prices rose 11.2% in the 12 months to October. Average prices of fish, fruits, meat and bread are all eight percent higher over the 12 months, underlining the pressure consumers have been under in terms of basic commodities despite the overall drop in inflation.
It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...