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Time is running out
On 30 June 2026, the old MySchool programme and card will be discontinued. If you haven’t yet switched to the new MyDifference app and selected Operation Smile South Africa as your beneficiary, your everyday Woolworths shopping will no longer help provide life-changing surgery for children born with cleft conditions.
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Making an impact
PATIENT STORIES
Celebrating 20 years in South Africa
FUNDRAISING FOR OPERATION SMILE
Turning tragedy into smiles
VOLUNTEERING
Join our caring and dedicated team – offering hope and reassurance
Every 3 minutes …
… a child is born somewhere in the world with a cleft condition. This affects their health and futures. We are committed to providing comprehensive cleft care, transforming their lives and strengthening the health systems in their communities.
LEARN ABOUT CLEFT CONDITIONS, & TREATMENT
Help change another child’s life
Depending on the severity, cleft conditions can be repaired in just 45 minutes. Your donation makes it possible.
NEWS & EVENTS
Latest Updates
Courage, kindness, dedication and hope – another successful surgical programme
On 29 May, 50 Operation Smile volunteer health professionals from across the country converged at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg for a weekend of life-changing cleft surgery.
From the first day of health screenings – where 54 young patients were thoroughly examined and 40 cleared for surgery – to the joyful moments in the recovery ward, our hearts overflowed with pride and gratitude for the privilege of being part of this life-changing work.
Operation Smile returns to Johannesburg to deliver free cleft lip and palate surgeries
Operation Smile South Africa will return to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital on 29 May 2026 for a weekend of free cleft lip and palate surgeries aimed at reducing the backlog of patients waiting for treatment.
Bringing a Smile to kids in rural communities
On 23 and 24 April 2026, Operation Smile, joined key partners – including the Department of Health and Igwiba Lesizwe Foundation – to take the Bring a Smile Campaign to the rural community of Whittlesea in the Eastern Cape, within the Enoch Mgijima Municipality.
Grateful thanks to our partners
Our global family
Founded in 1982 by Bill and Kathy Magee, Operation Smile is a global nonprofit bridging the gap in access to essential surgeries and healthcare, starting with cleft surgery and comprehensive care.
With more than 6,000 active medical volunteers from all around the world, Operation Smile is one of the world’s largest volunteer-based nonprofit organisations.
Our volunteers, partners and supporters are people from all walks of life, who share our belief that that high-quality health care is a universal human right, not a privilege.
With more than 6,000 active medical volunteers from all around the world, Operation Smile is one of the world’s largest volunteer-based nonprofit organisations.
Our supporters are people from all walks of life, who believe that anyone born with a cleft condition deserves safe, effective, and timely surgery and care.
Operation Smile South Africa is a registered Non-profit Organisation (083-117 NPO) and incorporated under Section 21 of the Companies Act 61 of 1973.
Donations are deductible in terms of Section 18A of the Income Tax Act of South Africa.
