THE war by the United States of America and Israel against Iran might be happening more than 10 000 kilometres away.
But the people of Mzansi immediately felt its heat.
The US and Israel joined forces against Iran and began bombing the Middle Eastern country on 28 February 2026.
US President Donald Trump told the world the mission would be completed in a matter of days. However, Iran stood its ground and fought back.
The war is now in a "temporary" cease-fire, but the effects are still being felt.
The flow of oil from the Gulf states stopped, shipping was disrupted, and some oil installations were bombed.
Mzansi felt the impact on 1 April, when petrol, diesel, and paraffin prices rose to record highs.
For millions of people in SunLand who depend solely on paraffin for cooking, lighting, and heating, it was the worst news of their lives.
Paraffin prices increased by more than R11, pushing the cost to over R31 per litre.
Daily Sun visited villages and townships to check on our audiences and see how they were coping with these shocking developments.
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Thabang Mashego (38) from the Marry Me informal settlement in Mamelodi East, Tshwane, said he has been using a paraffin stove for many years.
"These days, it's hard for me to buy one litre of paraffin because it's expensive and I'm not working. I sometimes use firewood to cook. The price of paraffin is a headache. As we speak, I don't have money to buy a litre of paraffin," he said.
Mmampe Anges Makhalemele (56) from Extension 16 informal settlement in Kanana near Orkney, outside Klerksdorp in the North West, told Daily Sun that she can no longer afford paraffin, the very thing she depends on to cook for her family.
"I used to buy paraffin for between R24 and R25, but now it's R32 to R38. I just can't keep up anymore," Anges said.
The struggling gogo, who looks after four grandchildren, said the situation has forced her to use a dangerous mix of paraffin and firewood just to put food on the table.
In Ekurhuleni, Maggy Struurman (58), who is unemployed and lives with her kids, said the increase will severely affect her family.
"The cost of living is too high," she said.
Gogo Maggy relies on paraffin daily for cooking and heating water. She typically buys one to two litres every two days, which barely lasts for her household.
Madala Mhlekwa Ndaba from Zwakala informal settlement in Daveyton appealed for paraffin relief.
"Look at me, I'm old and can't go and work to buy paraffin. It is costly now, and the price of mealie-meal is too high. The government must think for us and make a plan."
Meanwhile, the Motor Industry Staff Association (Misa) has challenged the government to do something drastic to assist South Africans who have no alternative energy options except paraffin.
"Paraffin is the primary source of energy for millions of South Africans who use it for cooking, heating and lighting. It's a basic necessity for the poorest of the poor. The doubling of its price threatens to deepen energy poverty, exacerbate food insecurity and strip vulnerable households of their dignity.
"Families already struggling to survive will be forced into harsher conditions, with limited alternatives available to them," said Martlé Keyter, Misa's CEO of operations.
Misa calls on the government to implement a broader relief package, including targeted subsidies for paraffin to protect low-income households.
"The price hikes created a global humanitarian crisis. Our government must act decisively to shield the poorest households from the devastating impact of unaffordable energy," said Keyter.
