For Many South Africans a Smile Comes with a Price Tag – But What Happens When a Smile Needs More?

Photo Credit: Supplied by Karina van den Heever (Ten x Collective)

Today, on World Smile Day, 2 October, a new survey explores how South Africans spend on happiness, what they would give to help others, and what they know about cleft lip and palate.

South Africa (02 October 2026) – What makes you smile? According to Operation Smile South Africa (OSSA), for many South Africans it is a holiday away, a cup of coffee or a night out with friends or family. And while these moments bring joy, they also come with a price tag. For a child with a cleft lip and palate, however, smiling needs more than money can buy.

A new OSSA survey has revealed what South Africans are most likely to spend money on to bring a little happiness into their lives. The majority said holidays, 47% turned to coffee while 42% chose a night out.

When asked which of these things they buy most often, 19% chose coffee or a favourite drink. Hobbies, sport or leisure followed at 18%, with gifts or treats for others at 15%.

For most people, spending on these small moments of happiness feels worthwhile. Others also showed a strong willingness to use money to brighten someone else’s day by paying towards an essential need, a small gift, a meal or groceries.

When a Smile Needs Specialist Care

But what happens when a smile depends on more than a passing moment of happiness or something that can simply be bought?

OSSA found that most respondents knew very little about cleft lip and palate, or about the treatment and long-term care a child may need.

A cleft lip and/or palate is a birth condition that can affect a child’s ability to eat, speak and hear, and may require specialist treatment as the child grows. Although general awareness appears limited, 85% of respondents who knew about cleft lip and palate understood that children with clefts may need ongoing care and further specialist surgeries.

“Living with an unrepaired cleft can affect so many aspects of a person’s life. For children and their families, the journey can also involve stigma, bullying and social isolation,” says Sarah Scarth, Executive Director of Operation Smile South Africa.

“For many families, particularly those in rural communities, accessing specialist care can be incredibly difficult. Our work is about bringing safe surgery and comprehensive cleft care (i.e. speech therapy, dental, psychosocial and nutritional support) closer to the homes of people with clefts and making a life-changing difference.”
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Through fundraising, a network of specialist volunteers and healthcare partnerships, Operation Smile can provide cleft surgery at an approximate cost of R40,000 per operation. Donor support, together with volunteers who contribute their time and expertise, helps make this life-changing care possible for patients and their families.

Photo Credit: Supplied by Karina van den Heever (Ten x Collective)

Bringing Smiles to Limpopo and the Eastern Cape

On World Smile Day, OSSA is urging families and individuals across the country, particularly those in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, to come forward for assessment for free specialist cleft care.

In Limpopo, the organisation will hold patient registration and screening during the National Oral Health Outreach in Thohoyandou on 15 October.

In the Eastern Cape, Operation Smile’s specialist medical volunteers will perform free cleft surgeries at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha from 30 October to 01 November 2026.

The programme begins with patient screening on Thursday, 29 October. Each person will receive a comprehensive medical assessment to determine whether surgery is suitable, with every treatment plan shaped around the patient’s individual medical needs and wellbeing.

Patients approved for surgery will be supported throughout the procedure and recovery process by a multidisciplinary team that includes cleft surgeons, anaesthetists, paediatricians, nurses, dentists, speech therapists, psychologists and other specialists.

The annual surgical programme forms part of Operation Smile’s partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of Health, which aims to strengthen comprehensive cleft care across the province.

In October 2025, Operation Smile’s specialist volunteer medical team screened more than 40 patients and performed 32 cleft surgeries at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital. This year, the programme has been extended to three surgical days.

“We want families to know that they do not have to navigate this difficult journey alone. If you or your child is living with an unrepaired cleft, please get in touch with us and let our team explain how we can help,” says Scarth.

Anyone with an unrepaired cleft lip and/or cleft palate, or a child who has one, is encouraged to contact Operation Smile South Africa to ask about eligibility for assessment and possible treatment.

For enquiries and information, please WhatsApp Operation Smile’s Patient Coordinators on 060 855 7971 or email [email protected]. For more information, visit www.operationsmile.org.za.