We are so touched by this beautiful poem, ‘My Smile’, written by Pralene Mahabir, poet and author of children’s books.

From 24-26 October, our team of volunteer medical professionals performed 32 successful cleft surgeries at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha. This is the fourth year Operation Smile has returned to this hospital, which serves over 4 million people, living in this largely rural part of the Eastern Cape.

Remember Zivezile Nojamanga – the 36-year-old man who’d lived with stigma of being ‘different’ all his life? It’s now a year since he received his life-changing surgery from Operation Smile – and the difference is quite remarkable.

During a 3 day Oral Health Outreach Programme at Mthatha Regional Hospital, from 24–26 October, Operation Smile, in partnership with the Eastern Cape and National Departments of Health, provided essential dental care to 993 people – many of whom have little to no access to dental services.

Please make sure to nominate Operation Smile South Africa as one of your beneficiaries.

This World Smile Day, you voted, laughed, and helped us spread joy with the Operation Smile SA Comedian competition, Vote for the Smile that makes YOU smile!

Jenni, Graham, and Hayden Rowe have raised nearly R55 000 for cleft surgery through KY-ND – an initiative they launched in memory of their son and brother, Ky, who tragically passed away on 9 August 2022.

Over 90% of the volunteer medical professionals who serve on our surgical programmes – surgeons, nurses, paediatric anaesthesiologists and therapists – are women. 

No fewer than 35 life-changing cleft surgeries were completed in Mbombela over the weekend – thanks to the efforts of volunteers from across South Africa and generous donor support.   What began as a weekend marathon to complete 25 surgeries ended in 35 smiles....

When young mom, Lebone, brought her baby to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital for the Operation Smile surgical programme in May 2025, her heart was in her mouth. This was her third attempt to get surgery for little Rorisang, who was born with a bilateral cleft lip.

From 24-28 July at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg, Operation Smile and The Smile Foundation joined forces for a Madiba Smile Relay surgical programme to help children born with cleft lip.

A total of 81 children benefitted from the recent weekend dental programme at Rob Ferreira Hospital in Nelspruit.

From the early preparations to the final moments of joy and gratitude, every second was a testament to the power of unity and compassion at Operation Smile SA.

  One of the main goals of Operation Smile worldwide is to provide opportunities for local doctors, dentists, and therapists to acquire the specialised knowledge they need to assist children and adults born with cleft conditions in their communities. Twenty...

Operation Smile South Africa is proud and honoured to have been awarded the Batho Pele Service Excellence and Innovation Award from the Department of Health, Eastern Cape.

Next week 140 runners from across the country will gather at the Wild Coast Sun for the start of the 2024 PONDO Trail. Their goal: to complete the 103km run (either in a one day ULTRA or three-day COASTER) and raise funds for the Pondoland Conservation Trust and Operation Smile.

Akhanyile doesn’t smile much. And even though she’s only two, she often reaches up to cover her mouth with her hand. She knows she’s different.

During March, adventurers David Grier and Andrew Stuart will be running 160 kms along the coastline in Accra, Ghana to raise funds for cleft surgery.

In February 2024, Operation Smile’s Mpumalanga Patient Coordinator, Dakalo Maguga, supported the Department of Health in presenting a community outreach training programme.