The Mrs South Africa finalists hosted a Matric dance for a school that had not seen an event like this in 40 years!
Johannesburg, South Africa (18 October 2021) – A school in Diepsloot has had its first Matric Dance in 40 years, and it was a night to remember!
Jo Judnick-Wilson, a 40-year-old Johannesburg resident and current Mrs South Africa Finalist, teamed up with Margaret Hirsch to host a matric dance for the Grade 12 learners of Itirele – Zenzele Secondary School in Diepsloot.
“The night was meant for the learners to be a memorable one, but in truth it is a night and experience that I will never forget. I am humbled and grateful to have been part of the collective who put it together,” Jo explains.
“1981, that’s the year the last matric dance of Iterele-Zenzele Secondary School was hosted. That also happens to be the year I was born, that’s perspective!.”
150 learners got to experience a night they will surely never forget, all thanks to the collaborative efforts of Mrs South Africa Semi-Finalist Mpho Mogotsi, CEO of Heal the World Foundation, who brought the idea to the Mrs South Africa Team.
The project was championed by Margaret Hirsch, who on the 13th of May 2021 announced alongside the current Mrs South Africa titleholder Thenji Mdluli that this year’s Mrs South Africa Finalists would be hosting a matric dance for them as a reward for their continued commitment to their studies despite the hardships they had faced through lockdown and economic circumstances.

With the 9th of October at the Indaba Hotel set as the date, Mpho, Margaret, Jo and numerous other finalists, volunteers and community businesses rallied together to raise the funds required to host this magical night.
Social media posts were used to appeal to the community to support the efforts by donating evening dresses and suits so that each and every learner was able to dress the part, and the Fourways community did not disappoint. All the evening attire was donated by hundreds of local neighbours, and visits to the school were organized for the learners to be fitted with their dance attire.
“At the last visit the excitement was palpable, I’ll never forget the smiles and laughter from the young ladies as they were trying on the dresses we brought, having the opportunity to select the one that they would most like to wear on the night.”, says Jo.
Fundraising for an event like this is no easy feat, especially through lockdown, but time and time again, we learn that when communities come together, amazing things can be accomplished.
Jo says that they are beyond grateful to all the community members, volunteers and Hirsch Homestores staff who supported this incredible night.
