Joburg bus driver Romy Magold’s honest TikTok lands her a VW Polo Vivo

When Joburg bus driver and part-time TikTok creator Romy Magold filmed a quick clip last December, she had no idea it would change her life. The video 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 struck a chord. Her video travelled far, racking up more than 770 000 views because it captured something true about how South Africans live and choose every day.

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: Romy wouldn’t be celebrating alone. KFC and VW invited her to be the face of a national summer campaign 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.”

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.”