After surviving a petrifying accident as a toddler, now eight-year-old Lwandle from Soweto is bravely undergoing reconstructive surgery at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, giving him hope, renewed confidence, and a reason to smile as he looks forward to returning to school.
Johannesburg, South Africa (12 October 2025) – For many children, a facial difference affects far more than appearance; it impacts confidence, self-esteem, and emotional well-being.
When Lwandle from Soweto was just three years old, a tragic accident left him with severe head and leg injuries. He was struck by a car while playing outside his home.
Distracted by her phone, the driver unknowingly dragged him six metres before a bystander stopped the vehicle. Lwandle sustained severe injuries, including a broken leg and a deep scalp wound.
Surgeons performed multiple procedures, placing a metal plate in his leg and using skin grafts from his thighs to repair his head injury.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, his mother was unable to stay by his side, making an already traumatic experience even more painful.
Now, five years later, thanks to the intervention of the Smile Foundation, Lwandle underwent a new surgery to insert a tissue expander into his scalp.
The procedure allowed doctors to generate new skin for future reconstruction, helping restore his hair and improve the appearance of his head.
His mother hopes this will give him the confidence to return to school, where he has faced teasing because of his scars.
Lwandle is one of eighteen other children who recieved life-changing reconstructive surgeries at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital during Smile Week, from 6 to 10 October 2025.
Made possible by a major donor, this special week of transformation followed World Smile Day (3 October) and concluded on World Mental Health Day (10 October), shining a light on the emotional and psychological journeys that children and parents face when living with a facial difference.
Smile Foundation’s holistic approach combines expert surgical care with ongoing counselling and psychosocial support, helping children rebuild their sense of self and reclaim their confidence.
“Smile Week is more than just surgeries. It’s about restoring dignity, confidence, and joy to children and their families. Facial differences can deeply affect a child’s self-esteem and mental health, and we know that healing the smile must go hand in hand with emotional support,” said Tshidi Chabane Xaba, COO at Smile Foundation.
With the generous backing of the global mining corporate sponsor, the Foundation can help children thrive both physically and emotionally and hopes to bring lasting impact and smiles for many years to come.
“We are deeply grateful to the skilled surgeons, dedicated medical teams, and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital for making this life-changing work possible,” added Chabane.
Sources: Supplied
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