Man Shares Shoprite Lunch Dishes Under R5, Impresses Netizens

• A viral TikTok spotlighted Shoprite’s surprisingly affordable meals, drawing viewers in with its unexpected low price tag
• The video sparked a lively discussion as many were impressed by how much value could still be found despite rising food costs
• The post resonated with many netizens, sparking conversations on budget-friendly meals and survival strategies

South Africans reacted strongly to a TikTok video highlighting unexpectedly low-cost lunch options, sparking conversation about value, affordability, and coping with today’s high cost of living.

With the rising cost of living putting pressure on households across South Africa, an uplifting TikTok post has struck a chord with many online. Posted by content creator @bennybeapybee on 18 August 2025, he shared a video showcasing a range of meals from Shoprite South Africa, all priced at under R5 each. In the video, he expressed gratitude, writing:

“@Shopritesouthafrica Thank you for our R5 Meals.”

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The post resonated with many netizens, serving as a reminder of how far a few rands can stretch for food. The clip quickly gained traction, resonating with viewers who are navigating soaring food costs.

The video showcases a variety of meals available at Shoprite, including pap and gravy, a wors roll, spaghetti with gravy, sandwiches, and samp with gravy. While these are basic, hearty dishes, their biggest selling point is affordability. At a time when many South Africans are cutting down on essentials, the idea of enjoying a hot meal for less than R5 has been celebrated as both impressive and much needed.

Affordable Shoprite meals spark online praise

In just a single day, the post sparked over 460 comments and countless likes, with people praising the supermarket chain for making meals accessible to those on tight budgets. For many, it was refreshing to see positive news around affordability, rather than another reminder of rising costs. Some commenters even shared their own experiences of relying on Shoprite’s budget-friendly meals to get through difficult times.

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The popularity of the post highlights a deeper reality. Food inflation and the cost of living crisis have placed immense strain on households. Against this backdrop, the availability of meals priced this low is more than just a bargain; it is a lifeline for many. While some noted that the dishes were simple, most agreed that their value could not be ignored, especially for workers, students, and families seeking affordable lunch options.

Mzansi reacted to the video

Sthukzin said:

"If you take R2.86 and multiply it by 365 days, that works out to R1043.90 in a year. 🙏😭"

France Iv said:

"Do Shoprite workers actually eat these meals themselves, or are they just for customers?"

Geraldean-Amber said:

"I think Shoprite is really helping a lot of hungry people with this. Instead of throwing food away as waste, at least it goes to someone who needs it."

Orlando Pirates fan said:

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"Ngeke silale singadlile thina. ♥️😂 (We can’t go to bed without eating, that’s for sure)."

Sweetest said:

"To the haters in the comments: not every meal has to taste like gourmet food. For some people, an affordable R5 plate means going to bed with a full stomach. Shoprite is doing something important here, and that matters more than fancy flavour."

Ms.P said:

"I guess we are rich, but just shopping in the wrong places. Imagine going into Shoprite and saying, ‘You get a meal, and you get a meal, everyone gets a meal!’ By the time I leave, I’d only spent R100.00. 😎🤣🤣"

Velenation said:

"If you eat twice a day, that’s 2×5 = R10. Multiply by 30 days, and it comes to just R300 a month. 😫👍"

Sandiso M said:

"I heard that the Cornflakes from Shoprite are so hard you have to soak them the night before before eating. 😭 🙆🏽‍♂️"

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Check out the TikTok video below:

3 Briefly News stories about Shoprite

• A Shoprite employee's remarkable career progression, detailing many promotions since joining the company, went viral.
• A young South African lady who works for Africa’s largest retailer, Shoprite, shared exciting news online.
• A money-savvy woman walked into Shoprite with just R30 and somehow came out with a full lunch and dessert.

Source: Briefly News