#knowyourbenoni – Woman tells about lifelong community involvement

Sally Matthee has been living in Benoni her whole life.

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She enjoys photography, volunteers for Operation Smile and is a loving grandmother.

Matthee spoke to the City Times about her life as a contributing member of society.

BCT: Where did you grow up?

SM: I was born in Benoni at the old Glynnwood Hospital and I lived in Elston Avenue.

I remember walking in the area with my border collie.

I attended Benoni Junior School, Benoni West School and Benoni High School.

BCT: Tell us about your family.

SM: My husband’s name is Jeff Matthee and we have been friends since we were nine years old.

We have two children, Samantha Holle and Justin Matthee.

Samantha is a physiologist with her own practice, but she is also involved with Glynnview.

Justin is a project manager and has worked on major projects like Mall of Africa.

BCT: How did you discover your love for photography?

SM: My brother used to photograph stock cars at a local stadium; he developed them himself at home.

I then sold it at his stall at the next event.

I made my debut, if I can use that word, taking school pictures at my son’s nursery school.

I prefer taking pictures of children with a long lens while they play.

That way I can catch their essence instead of a studio smile.

BCT: You are also involved in Operation Smile. Tell us about that?

SM: Operation Smile is an organisation that fixes cleft palates and other facial deformities.

The organisation employs a whole team of specialists among others surgeons, dentists, dietitians, mouth hygienists, and so forth.

I take photos of the patients which ultimately forms part of the before, during and after photos for medical records.

It is quite technical as the depth and severity of damage can vary from different angles.

The Rotary Anns sewed colourful theatre gowns for the children, which is very important for their psyches.

It gives them something that is their own and breaks the medicinal feel of a theatre as the fabrics had motifs suitable for children.

I remember we helped a five-year-old girl and she received a gown.

She wore it to church for five years after her operation.

When someone asked her why she still wears the withered gown she said, “because it reminds me of the best day of my life”.

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