In an incredible effort to support children, 52 volunteers spent the weekend working through surgical backlog, reaching 40 children in need of life-changing sugery.
South Africa (23 May 2025) – This past weekend, Johannesburg witnessed something extraordinary, not a sporting event or political rally, but a marathon of a different kind. From 16 to 18 May, an intensive surgical programme at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH) gave around 40 children with cleft lip and palate conditions the chance to smile, speak, and thrive.
The initiative, led by Operation Smile South Africa in collaboration with NMCH and with vital support from Life Healthcare, tackled a serious and growing surgical backlog. For children affected by cleft conditions, time is critical. Without prompt intervention, they face significant health complications, difficulty eating and speaking, and a lifetime of stigma or bullying.
While South Africa’s public healthcare system does provide cleft surgeries, access is uneven, especially in under-resourced provinces. Many families wait months, sometimes years, for a procedure that can dramatically improve a child’s life trajectory.
“At Operation Smile, our mission is to bridge the gap in access to essential healthcare, starting with cleft surgery and comprehensive care,” says Sarah Scarth, Executive Director of Operation Smile South Africa. “We also prioritise training and mentoring local professionals so the impact continues long after the weekend is over.”
52 Volunteers. 1 Hospital. 1 Common Goal.
A 52-member strong team of volunteer medical professionals, including surgeons, anaesthesiologists, paediatricians, nurses, dentists, speech therapists, and psychologists joined forces with NMCH’s in-house paediatric specialists.
They started with pre-surgery screenings on Friday, 16 May. Around 60 children attended, with comprehensive medical assessments ensuring only those healthy enough for surgery proceeded. The surgeries then took place on Saturday and Sunday, with about 40 operations completed by the close of the weekend.
Post-surgery, children and their caregivers will stayed at the Operation Smile Patient Village, receiving continued care and monitoring until they are safely discharged on Friday, 23 May.
The programme is about far more than the operating theatre. Cleft lip and palate conditions typically require ongoing support: multiple surgeries, dental treatment, speech therapy, and psychosocial care to help children integrate into school and society.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to family-centred, evidence-based care and the power of collaboration to change lives,” says Dr Nkuli Boikhutso, CEO of Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital. “At NMCH, we are inspired by Tata Madiba’s unwavering love for children and belief in their right to live and thrive.”
Every child in this weekend’s programme dreceive free, high-quality care, made possible through the generosity of programme partners and the selfless dedication of volunteers. It’s a shining example of Ubuntu, a reminder that healing happens not just with scalpels, but with compassion, teamwork, and hope.
This is what true transformation looks like: one smile at a time.
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