The priceless gift of a smile: Nzulu’s milestone birthday celebrates transformative journeys of cleft care

In a heartwarming milestone that underscores the transformative power of healthcare, three-year-old Nzulu from the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast recently blew out birthday candles for the first time. This joyous occasion was made possible by the life-changing cleft lip and palate surgeries he received through Operation Smile South Africa’s (OSSA) comprehensive cleft care programme during his formative years.

As the year draws to a close, Nzulu’s family reflects on the profound impact of OSSA’s support. “We were overjoyed when we learned that Nzulu could receive free cleft care through Operation Smile,” they said. “Knowing this support was available at no cost gave us hope. We are truly blessed and grateful.”

Before this momentous birthday celebration, Nzulu's journey started from humble beginnings. His parents first learned about Operation Smile while attending cleft awareness training conducted in their former home in rural Bizana, Eastern Cape. The workshop was part of a programme aimed at training Community Healthcare Workers to identify cleft conditions and refer families to OSSA’s free surgical and support services. At the time, Nzulu was a newborn, just weeks old.

After receiving the referral, their journey gained momentum as they connected with Operation Smile volunteer nurse Mam Funeka, who supplied crucial early feeding assistance and guidance to navigate the challenges that come with cleft conditions. Nzulu's mother joined a supportive WhatsApp group for caregivers, while his father undertook training to become a Patient Advocate, assisting fellow families in accessing similar life-changing treatment.

“Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation out there," says Nzulu’s father, Thandisizwe. “I used to think that a cleft lip or palate was a disability. That’s why I share our experience and connect with others, both in person and on social media. Early intervention is critical for speech and development, and I’m thankful we can help other families find the same support.”

Nzulu underwent surgery to repair his cleft lip in October 2023, during Operation Smile’s surgical outreach at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha. Although his first birthday coincided with the outreach, post-operative restrictions meant solid foods, including cake, were off the table. Yet, with hope in their hearts, the family returned in late 2024 for his cleft palate repair, which again fell around his birthday, resulting in another celebration marked by dietary restrictions.

Finally, this October, at Operation Smile’s 2025 surgical programme, Nzulu attended a follow-up appointment, fully healed and free of dietary limitations. The exhilarating moment of blowing out candles and enjoying cake for the first time set a new precedent for joyful childhood experiences.

“Nzulu’s journey highlights the importance of early identification, caregiver education, and robust community healthcare worker support,” says Sarah Scarth, OSSA’s Executive Director. “It demonstrates the life-transforming impact of a comprehensive cleft care model, encompassing feeding support, outreach training, surgical intervention, as well as future speech therapy and dental treatment that can change the lives of children and their families.”

On the final day of Operation Smile’s programme, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi praising OSSA's efforts. He highlighted the profound effects of cleft lip and palate on feeding, speech, and self-esteem, which often lead to social exclusion. “For that, we are deeply grateful to Operation Smile South Africa and all partners who make this possible,” he said, reinforcing the global importance of oral health initiatives recognised by the World Health Organization.

“Ending the year with Nzulu’s birthday celebration is deeply meaningful for our team,” said Scarth. “Each of the 150 safe and successful surgeries delivered is a life transformed, made possible by the dedication and commitment of our volunteers, partners, and donors. As we approach our 20th anniversary in 2026, we remain more focused than ever on scaling comprehensive cleft care and ensuring that every child, like Nzulu, has an opportunity to access safe surgical care.”

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