Father and daughter duo volunteer to change lives with cleft surgery

A Blouberg father and daughter were among a team of volunteers who helped provide life-changing surgery to children born with cleft conditions during a recent Operation Smile South Africa programme in Johannesburg.

Dr Neville Botha, his 23-year-old daughter Bianca Botha, and Jacqueline Toerien joined 50 volunteers at Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital, where 40 children from Gauteng and neighbouring provinces received corrective surgery between Friday, May 29 and Sunday, May 31.

The volunteer-led programme comes as the United Nations marks 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers, recognising the important role volunteers play in communities around the world.

Dr Neville, an anaesthesiologist, said volunteering with Operation Smile has become a long-standing commitment.

Since 2010, he has participated in 15 surgical programmes in South Africa and abroad, including in Morocco, Madagascar, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This year's programme was particularly special as he was joined by his Bianca on her first Operation Smile programme, he said.

A final-year psychology student at the University of Cape Town, Bianca volunteered as part of the psychosocial support team, helping children and their caregivers prepare for surgery.

"Operation Smile has awoken something in me," said Bianca.

"Being part of the psychosocial support team has shown me that healing goes far beyond the operating theatre. It has connected me with remarkable people – patients, families and fellow volunteers who all share the belief that every child deserves a chance."

She said the moment that stayed with her most was seeing mothers hold their babies for the first time after surgery.

The programme has become something of a family tradition, with Bianca's older sister, Chelsea, currently completing her medical internship, having also volunteered alongside her father during a previous Operation Smile programme.

For Toerien, who manages a surf shop during the week and was participating in her third programme as a medical records volunteer, the most rewarding moments come after surgery.

"Seeing a mother reunited with her child after an operation is incredibly moving," she said.

"The joy, relief, gratitude, and overwhelming love in that moment remind you that this is far more than a medical procedure. It is a life-changing event that brings hope, confidence, and new opportunities for the child and their family."

Her contribution extends beyond administrative support. Inspired by a fellow volunteer, Toerien spends downtime during surgical weekends knitting blanket squares that are later turned into blankets for patients.

"Families feel seen, valued, and supported during an emotional and often overwhelming experience."

This year also marks Operation Smile South Africa's 20th anniversary. Since 2006, the organisation has built a network of more than 150 active volunteers who have helped provide thousands of surgeries across South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

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Cape Argus