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.

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 of the new My Difference loyalty programme.

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....

On 15 May 2025, Operation Smile was proud to support the National Strategic Meeting on Safe Surgical Care, hosted in Johannesburg by the SA Safe Surgical Care Technical Working Group (TWG).

The Pondo Trail Run which takes place this year from 28 May – 1 June offers runners the chance to traverse one of the world’s most untouched coastlines while raising funds for The Pondoland Conservation Trust and the Cipla Foundation’s Miles for Smiles initiative.

The first Pan-African Surgical Conference in February 2025 brought together leading experts, surgeons, policymakers, and organisations to share ideas, create partnerships, and find innovative ways to address Africa’s critical surgical care shortage.

Africa has the fewest surgeons and anaethetists per capita worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. For every 10,000 people, there are just two doctors and 11 nurses and midwives, compared to 41 doctors and 113 nurses and midwives in North America.

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.

In May, 140 runners from across the country gathered 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.

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

In the sixteen years since Operation Smile South Africa was established, we’ve gathered together a team of 120 active volunteers. These selfless people from all walks of life are the foundation of our work.