When Joburg bus driver and part-time TikTok creator Romy Magold filmed a quick video last December, she had no idea it would change her life. The clip was simple: “It’s not like R100 will buy you a car, get food and eat.” Just Romy being honest about food, finances and making everyday choices stretch. No script, no strategy, just real life.
That moment of realness resonated. Her video travelled far: 770,000+ views because it captured something true about how South Africans live and choose every day. What Romy didn’t know was that her authenticity had caught the attention of a brand that understood exactly what she was expressing.
A year later, life handed her a plot twist
In October, KFC reached out with news that left her speechless: her unfiltered video had landed her a brand-new VW Polo Vivo… and something even bigger. Not a reward for virality, but recognition of the power of honest voices, people who reflect the country back to itself with humour, vulnerability and truth.
And then came the best part: she wouldn’t be celebrating alone. KFC and VW invited her to be the face of their national summer campaign, an Ubuntu-fuelled initiative that will see 31 more VW Polo Vivos given away across South Africa over the holiday season.
Romy’s moment: from everyday creator to uplifting 31 lives
“When they messaged me, I honestly thought it was a scam”. Romy laughs, “I make content in my spare time, between shifts. That video was just me being real. I never imagined something like this would happen to someone like me.”
What matters most to her isn’t the spotlight, it’s sharing the joy. “I know how much difference one opportunity can make. Helping 31 other South Africans experience something life-changing… that’s the real win.”
Two iconic brands meet a moment of generosity
The collaboration is a celebration of the South African spirit that blends humour, resilience, heart and community. The campaign, “Ke De’share’mba” is rooted in one idea: you never know when a simple moment can spark something extraordinary.
As Grant Macpherson, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer, KFC Africa puts it, “Romy reminded us that the most powerful stories come from real people being themselves. This campaign is about celebrating that authenticity and passing that joy forward.”
More than a giveaway — a reminder of possibility
Romy’s story isn’t about luck or going viral. It’s about how one honest moment shared with no agenda connected people, touched a nation and opened unexpected doors.
This December, she’ll be handing over the keys, literally, to South Africans across the country. With every handover, she’ll be living what she now believes: “Your life can change in a moment. Even on an ordinary day, even when you least expect it.”
Images:
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yJLSXIkj4Qw?si=IGt0yXOZxGmwT4Kl
TikTokker’s single viral post becomes Summer’s biggest campaign
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Alan Straton
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