Former Bafana Bafana, Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu star, Siphiwe Tshabalala has weighed in on the fuel prices prevailing in South Africa. Following a series of fuel price hikes, many ordinary citizens have complained about the cost of petroleum which has also impacted prices of goods and services. On microblogging network, Twitter, Siphiwe Tshabalala said:
I usually don’t brag about going to expensive places but i have just left the petrol station 😥🤮🤮🤮 pic.twitter.com/cCZi6Q3H13
— Siphiwe Tshabalala (@siphiweshabba) August 21, 2021
The tweet is as humorous as it is disheartening. At the time of going to press, Tshabalala’s tweet had received 30,000 likes and 3,000 retweets from twitter users who no doubt relate to the cost of petrol.
Siphiwe Tshabalala stunner!
Celebrating his 37th birthday this September, Siphiwe Tshabalala, who was recently released by AmaZulu FC, is globally known for the 2010 screamer of a goal he scored against the more fancied Mexico. Being the first World Cup to be staged on African soil, the Siphiwe Tshabalala goal did not only belong to the ex Bafana number 8 but the entire continent which still remembers his 54th minute, left foot scorcher.
Siphiwe Tshabalala Foundation serves community
While most professional soccer players are known for their flashy lifestyles of fast cars, pretty women and marble floored mansions, off the pitch, the 2010 SA footballer of the year is renowned for his philanthropic work through the Siphiwe Tshabalala foundation, established in 2014. The coronavirus pandemic has not not only had negative health related consequences but also economic impact, resulting in high cases of job losses and indigence among ordinary citizens. Through the Siphiwe Tshabalala foundation, the former AmaKhosi captain assists distressed and disadvantaged members of the community. The Foundation has also assisted disadvantaged youths with academic bursaries.
Today we were in Phiri helping families in distress with food parcels.Big s/o to @hollywoodbets and the @siphiwetshabalalafoundation for assisting with over 200 food parcels 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/lz3qkApMzK
— Siphiwe Tshabalala (@siphiweshabba) August 5, 2021
Petrifying petrol prices
At the start of August, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe announced fuel price adjustments. The numbers did not make for a leisurely read.
Petrol prices have risen steadily this year, beginning at R14,69 in January and peaking at R18,11 per litre for Unleaded 93 (Inland) in August 2021. The price for petrol Unleaded 95 (Coastal) was at R14.16 in January and climbed to R17,58 in August.
Perhaps the only silver lining in the dark cloud of the covid-19 pandemic is the reduction in travel by motorists, which to some extent provides relief to strained purses. If well-to-do celebrities such as Shabba are stunned by these prices, one wonders how mere mortals cope with rising inflation.