The Support and Kindness That Brought Lerato’s World Back into Focus

Photo Credit: Jacaranda FM Good Morning Angels

When a regular customer noticed barista and single mother Lerato Dibe struggling to see, his one thoughtful act set in motion the life-changing care that has restored her vision and brought new dreams into focus.

Johannesburg, South Africa (23 October 2026) – While working as a barista in the canteen of a Midrand office block, Lerato Dibe caught the attention of a regular customer who noticed that she was struggling to see. Concerned, he arranged a consultation with his optometrist, who offered her services free of charge.

The examination revealed that Lerato had approximately 5% vision in her right eye and 50% in her left. Her left eyelid was also drooping and covering half of her eye. Because her right eye had been in this condition for so long, its vision was not expected to improve.

The damage had been caused by excessive eye rubbing during childhood, brought on by the dusty, smoky conditions in which Lerato grew up. Alex, the customer who helped guide her towards life-changing care, later contacted Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels in August 2025 to seek funding for surgery that could improve her eyesight.

“The welcome and warmth of the Breakfast with Martin Bester team were amazing. Obtaining a funding commitment from the Star Foundation for the required treatment was a blessing. The show enabled Lerato to start her walk into a new world of vision,” Alex shared.

At no cost to her, Lerato attended a series of consultations and appointments with specialists, including an optometrist, ophthalmologist and eye surgeon.

Her treatment journey has concluded with Lerato’s vision improving to 50% in her left eye and 80% in her right!

A little over a year later, Martin Bester and the team caught up with Lerato after she had completed all the procedures. During the breakfast show, she shared that although she had initially been sceptical, her doctors were kind and reassuring. She said the healing process after her eye operations was quick and involved very little pain. Lerato later underwent lens fitting, which has made a world of difference to her sight and given her a new lease on life.

The 38-year-old single mother continues to work as a barista to support herself and her nine-year-old daughter. Although she does not have medical aid, she must use eye drops daily and visit her specialist every six months.

With her restored vision, Lerato has now set her sights on obtaining a driver’s licence. The Good Morning Angels Fund will provide a further R20,000 towards her driving lessons and licence, as well as her ongoing eye care.

Thanks to a kind customer who noticed her quiet struggle and set the right support in motion, Lerato can now see a whole new world – and dream more clearly about her place in it!