Eat for R30 a day – young singleton edition
Updated | By The Workzone with Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp/Udesha Moodley-Judhoo
We're not convinced he quite nailed the concept of being frugal – especially in South Africa, where R30 can stretch quite far if you know where to shop.

Many people in South Africa have no choice but to survive on R30 a day or less to make ends meet – a reality that no one would wish for. Finding a healthy, filling meal on such a tight budget isn’t easy, and it’s a struggle many face daily.
A young man living in Cape Town decided to test his own ability to survive on just R30 a day for five days. Darvin Kinzel joined a growing trend among South African content creators who are challenging themselves to stretch their budgets and get a meal for as little as possible.
However, Darvin set out somewhat unprepared. He didn’t do enough research and chose two retailers that aren’t exactly known for their budget-friendly prices.
On the first day, he went to Pick n Pay, where he bought a doughnut and a bottle of water for R17, leaving him with just R13 for the rest of the day.
He then headed to the local petrol shop but was unsuccessful in finding anything for R13 – a mistake, as petrol shops aren't typically the most affordable option for buying a meal that will sustain you.
Watch his video below, which is courtesy of TikTok.
@crispytortilla06 #fyp #viral ♬ Originalton - Darvin
READ MORE: 3 things to avoid when budgeting
On the fifth day, Darvin visited a Woolworths store and quickly realised he was getting more for his money at Pick n Pay. For R24, he managed to buy a naartjie, a packet of chips, and a Jungle Oats bar.
Social media users were quick to offer their advice, pointing out his mistakes. Many suggested he should have tried retailers like Shoprite and Checkers, which are known for offering affordable cooked meals at their delis.
Watch the video below from TikTok that got the most views.
@crispytortilla06 #fyp #viral #food #humble ♬ Originalton - Darvin
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Image courtesy of iStock
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