A young girl’s dream to experience the joy of a matric dance was brought to life from her hospital ward when her doctors dedicated their time and resources to giving her the night of her dreams, with actor Thembinkosi Mthembu as her handsome date and Lira as her very own personal performer!
Johannesburg, South Africa (20 August 2025) – For 19-year-old Noxolo “Nox” Dladla, one of the renal patients at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH), her biggest dream for her future is simple yet profound: to be happy – something she shares effortlessly with everyone around her.
Described by NMCH’s Communications and Marketing Manager, Jani Van Rooyen, as a “chatty, lovely girl who enjoys drawing, colouring, and singing,” Noxolo has touched the lives of her fellow patients and hospital staff.
Despite facing immense challenges, Noxolo’s positive outlook shines through, inspiring those who care for her.
Like many teenage girls who dream about their matric dance night, Noxolo, too, longed for the experience of getting dolled up and celebrating with friends. However, due to being hospitalised and needing full-time oxygen, this seemed like a distant dream.
But when her doctors got wind of this, they joined heads and hearts to put together a matric dance experience that would far exceed this brave teen’s dreams!
A team from NMCH, including Dr Pinky Chirwa, Cathy Berman, Dr Cecil Levy, Dr Nokukhanya Khanyile-Lenake, Jani Van Rooyen, Vuyokazi Mahlubi Myengeza and Slindile Mqadi and many other crucial staff members, were pulled together to form an organising committee and, with the help of various donors and sponsors, arranged a matric dance in her honour on Sunday, 17 August 2025.
And what an experience it was! South African actor Thembinkosi Mthembu arrived in his best threads as Noxolo’s date for the night, and award-winning singer/songwriter Lira also made an appearance to inspire and serenade Noxolo at the beautiful event held in the renal ward.
“The motivation behind fulfilling Noxolo’s dream was purely love and compassion. We wanted to give her dignity. At the moment, Noxolo is unable to get out of bed and do much, but that doesn’t mean she can’t have her dreams come true.
“It was something she had asked us to do, and we did everything in our power to make it happen because we know how important she is not just to us but to other patients because she motivates them and speaks to them, giving them encouragement,” shares Dr Nokukhanya Khanyile-Lenake.
The biggest highlight of the day was the bright smile on Noxolo’s face – a direct translation of the love, time, compassion and resources dedicated towards making a beautiful human’s dream come true.
“She was glowing from the inside out. It was beautiful to see how everyone reacted to seeing her and how everyone pulled together to make this work for her. It was such an honour to have people come and make this happen for her,” Dr Khanyile-Lenake added.
The NMCH team extended its thanks to all the sponsors and donors who made Noxolo’s matric dance an experience she would never forget: Motsepe Foundation, Africa Fashion International, Lundo Creatives, Nozizwe Vundla, Impact4Good and Mollo Animation Academy, Moonbeam Photography, Cakes for Smiles and all the doctors and staff involved.
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Sources: Nothando Mthembu
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