A new initiative led by Talitha Oosthuizen hopes to give hundreds of Gauteng matric learners the chance to celebrate their school journey in style.
Johannesburg, South Africa (07 May 2026) – For many South African matric learners, attending a matric ball is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone. But with rising living costs placing families under immense financial pressure, the dream of wearing a beautiful dress and celebrating the end of 12 years of schooling is often out of reach.
That is what inspired First Princess Mrs South Africa, Talitha Oosthuizen, to launch an initiative aimed at collecting 1,000 matric ball dresses for girls across Gauteng.
Speaking about the campaign, Talitha said the initiative is about “turning heartbreak into hope” for young girls who may otherwise miss out on the experience entirely.
“In South Africa, we are in such a dire state financially. There’s rising fuel costs, food prices, school costs and just the daily necessities. For many families, a matric farewell becomes the last thing on the priority list.”
Many learners are forced to quietly give up on the experience because their families simply cannot afford it.
“I want to give those girls the opportunity to still attend their matric farewell because it’s only a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them. It’s a chance to celebrate 12 years of going to school and to feel worthy.”
The campaign has already started receiving support from members of the public through dress donations, while some learners have also begun applying for assistance. Talitha said the team will also work directly with schools across Gauteng to identify girls in need.
Beyond simply handing out dresses, Talitha wants the girls to enjoy a full matric ball experience. Special fitting events are planned for Youth Day on 16 June and Women’s Day on 9 August, where learners will be able to choose and try on dresses themselves.
“I don’t want them to feel like they’re receiving a hand-me-down. I want them to have a personal connection with the dress. When a woman puts on a dress and feels good in it, that confidence starts blooming.”
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“So many young people have lost their sense of worth. I want them to know there are still people who care and who see them. I want them to feel like princesses for one day, but also carry that feeling with them into their future.”
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