Thanks to Operation Smile, little Nzulu got to experience the pure, unforgettable joy of blowing out his birthday candles and enjoying cake for the very first time.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (05 December 2025) – For a toddler, a birthday is one of the most exciting and magical days to look forward to. It brings the promise of presents, fun, and the thrill of blowing out candles on a birthday cake – the magic three-year-old Nzulu got to experience firsthand recently!
It was a milestone made possible by the cleft lip and palate surgeries Nzulu received through Operation Smile South Africa’s (OSSA) comprehensive cleft care programme in his first two years of life.
As the year draws to a close, Nzulu’s family reflects on the life-changing support that has transformed their son’s journey.
“We were overjoyed when we learned that Nzulu could receive free cleft care through Operation Smile,” his parents say.
“We had researched how expensive bilateral cleft lip and palate repair can be, and knowing this support was available free of charge through Operation Smile, gave us hope. We are truly blessed and grateful.”
The most precious moment for them all? Witnessing Nzulu blow out his birthday candles and enjoy his cake for the first time.
“It showed us how far he has come and that he has a real chance at a normal, happy future – something we are especially thankful for as the year ends.”
Nzulu’s journey
Nzulu’s family first heard about Operation Smile when the NGO conducted a cleft awareness training near their former home in rural Bizana, Eastern Cape, for Community Healthcare Workers (CHW).
The workshop equipped local CHWs with essential skills to identify cleft conditions and refer families to Operation Smile’s free surgical and support services. It was here that Nzulu’s parents – then caring for a newborn just weeks old – learned that specialised cleft care was available at no cost.
Following their referral, they were supported by Operation Smile volunteer nurse Mam Funeka, who provided early feeding assistance and guidance on navigating common challenges associated with cleft conditions.
Nzulu’s mother later joined an Operation Smile WhatsApp support group for caregivers, gaining ongoing peer support, while his father completed training to become a Patient Advocate, helping other families in their community access cleft treatment and care.
“Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation out there, and many parents think a cleft lip or cleft palate is a disability,” says Nzulu’s father, Thandisizwe.
“I used to think that too. That’s why I share our experience and connect with other families – both in person and through social media. Early intervention and care make such a difference, especially for speech and development, and I’m grateful that we can now help other families find that same support.”
In October 2023, the family travelled to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha for Operation Smile’s surgical outreach, where Nzulu underwent surgery to repair his cleft lip. His first birthday fell during the outreach, though postoperative restrictions meant he was unable to eat solid foods – including his birthday cake.
They returned in late 2024 for his cleft palate repair, which again coincided with his birthday. Despite a successful procedure, post-op recovery restrictions meant he could still not enjoy a normal celebration.
During Operation Smile’s 2025 surgical programme in Mthatha in October, Nzulu returned for a scheduled follow-up appointment. With both surgeries fully healed and no dietary limitations, he celebrated his third birthday by blowing out his candles and enjoying cake for the first time.
“Nzulu’s journey highlights the importance of early identification, caregiver education and strong community healthcare worker support,” says Sarah Scarth, OSSA’s Executive Director.
Nzulu’s procedure was one of 150 safe and successful surgeries delivered by the dedication and commitment of OSSA’s volunteers, partners and donors.
“Ending the year with Nzulu’s birthday celebration is deeply meaningful for our team.”
“As we approach our 20th anniversary in 2026, we are more focused than ever on scaling comprehensive cleft care and ensuring that every child – like Nzulu – has the opportunity to access safe surgical and comprehensive cleft care,” concludes Scarth.
Sources: Supplied
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:
Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 