Moderate fuel price increases are expected in November. File picture: Thobile Mathonsi, African News Agency/ANA
STEADY yourselves, Kimberley and Northern Cape drivers, because the fuel price pendulum is swinging up again! The latest, albeit unaudited, figures from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) suggest that November will come with a pinch at the pumps. But here’s the (slightly) better news: it won’t be as painful as initially feared, thanks to a late-month cooling in global oil prices.
So, what’s the damage? For the discerning petrol aficionado, 95 Unleaded petrol is expected to see a modest rise of 25 cents per litre, while 93 Unleaded will edge up by 14 cents per litre. If your trusty bakkie runs on diesel, brace for a hike of 20 cents (50ppm) to 22 cents (500ppm) per litre.
Expect to fork out around R20.50 for 95 Unleaded on the coast and a wallet-twitching R21.30 inland. Meanwhile, the more common 93 Unleaded in places like Kimberley could settle around R20.87. Keep in mind that these figures are still up for official confirmation by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, which will reveal the final numbers early this week.
Why the spike, you ask? Well, blame it on a mid-October international oil price jump, which set the stage for this increase. The Automobile Association (AA) explained that while there was some respite with softer prices towards month-end, and even a bit of help from a stronger rand chipping away eight cents per litre, it wasn’t enough to keep November’s prices flat.
But don’t lose hope just yet! This comes after a blessed five-month streak of falling fuel prices, reaching the lowest levels since February 2022. For perspective, petrol (95 ULP) is still R1.44 cheaper than it was back in January. The biggest sighs of relief were heard in June and October, when prices dropped by R1.24 and R1.14, respectively - better times, we know.
So, Kimberley and Northern Cape residents, it’s not quite time to park those weekend road trips - just ready yourself to shell out some extra cash. Stay tuned for the final word on this month’s fuel forecast and watch that fuel gauge closely!