Medical professionals from Gauteng part of Operation Smile's record-setting weekend in Mbombela

IOL News

6 days ago

Six dedicated medical volunteers from Gauteng were among the national team of 40 professionals who travelled to Mbombela this weekend as part of Operation Smile South Africa's latest surgical programme. Together, they exceeded their target of 25 surgeries — successfully performing 35 life-changing cleft lip and palate procedures at Rob Ferreira Hospital, thanks to a strong national collaboration and community support.
Rico van Rooi and his mom Virginia.
Image: Supplied
The programme, which ran from July 25 to 27 was delivered in partnership with the Mpumalanga Department of Health and marks the 15th local surgical programme made possible through the ongoing support of Woolworths, under its MyDifference programme. Additional support was also provided by Glenthorpe and other generous donors.
For families like that of 33-year-old Promise Thembelihle Mathebula, the impact is deeply personal. Promise, a Mbombela local, received cleft surgery from Operation Smile as a child. Now, her five-month-old son Mpelo has undergone the same care, receiving a successful lip repair earlier this year and returning this past weekend for his palate surgery.
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Children ahead of going in for surgery.
Image: Supplied
Their story is one of many that reflect the generational power of accessible, compassionate healthcare — and the lasting legacy of the Operation Smile mission.
'Thanks to the continued support of Woolworths MyDifference, Operation Smile is able to return to communities like Mbombela and provide life-changing care to families like Promise and Mpelo's — creating lasting impact where it's needed most,' said Sarah Scarth, Executive Director at Operation Smile South Africa.
Originally aiming to complete 25 surgeries over the weekend, the team surpassed expectations, performing 35 procedures in total — a powerful reminder of what's possible through collective effort and expert volunteerism.
Paige Greeff, a Surgical Circulating Nurse that has been a volunteer with the programme since 2023, leads a young patient through for surgery.
Image: Supplied
'We are enormously proud to be partnering with MyDifference and the Mpumalanga Department of Health to bring hope and healing to more children and families living with unrepaired cleft conditions. Without this intervention, children in this province could wait years for the chance to receive life-changing surgery,' she said.
Since partnering with Woolworths and becoming a beneficiary of the retailer's previous loyalty programme — MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet — in 2011, Operation Smile has provided reconstructive surgery and comprehensive care to approximately 500 people across South Africa.
'The Woolworths MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet programme has long empowered customers to support Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) like Operation Smile, along with schools and environmental causes, simply by swiping their card at till points — with Woolworths making the donation on their behalf. We're proud that this much-loved initiative now continues under the GIVE component of our new MyDifference programme, combining the power of giving with even greater personal rewards, value, and convenience,' confirmed Mbuso Mlambo, Head of Loyalty and Direct Marketing at Woolworths.
Young Kwenzokuhle Shabangu being screened ahead of surgery with nurse volunteer Petro Archer and volunteer Skye Abrahams.
Image: Supplied
Since launching in South Africa in 2006, Operation Smile has built a network of more than 150 active volunteers — including surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, paediatricians, dentists, speech therapists, psychologists and biomedical staff. Many of these experts travel across South Africa and the region to deliver care and train others.
'Our long-term goal is to build sustainability, so that this specialised cleft care can happen in the public health system — whether we are there or not,' said Scarth.
Dental care was also a key component of the weekend's programme. The Rob Ferreira Hospital Oral Health team — supported by Operation Smile — provided free treatments such as fillings, cleanings, extractions, restorations, sealants, and baby root canals. This care helps reduce absenteeism and improve long-term health for children who may otherwise lack access to a dentist.
'Dental care is a vital part of the overall treatment plan for people with cleft conditions,' adds Scarth. 'Most people born with a cleft — and certainly all those born with a cleft palate — need dental treatment, because the whole jaw is affected. The more support we can provide, the more we can improve quality of life.'