Six-year-old Kwandokuhle Kumalo, who survived a traumatic dog attack, has undergone reconstructive surgery at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, thanks to Smile Foundation and Adcock Ingram.

The girl suffered severe head injuries and significant hair loss in the attack, leaving her facing stares, painful questions, and school bullying.

As part of her reconstructive journey, doctors inserted a tissue expander to gradually create additional healthy, hair-bearing skin to reconstruct the affected area.

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Over the years, Smile Foundation and the hospital have built an enduring partnership centred on giving children access to specialised reconstructive surgery and compassionate care. Despite changes in hospital leadership over time, the partnership with Smile Foundation and the shared commitment to children needing reconstructive surgery has continued.

The legacy continues under Dr Zakhele Zitha, the newly appointed acting CEO of Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, whose leadership marks the next chapter in a relationship built over many years between the hospital, its medical teams, and Smile Foundation.

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For Zitha, Kwandokuhle’s journey reflects the compassionate, patient-centred healthcare he hopes every patient and family will experience. “Every child who comes through our doors has their own story, and every family has been through something different,” said Zitha. “Smile Week gives us the opportunity to do more than provide surgery. We want these children to leave hospital feeling better, stronger and more confident about what lies ahead.”

He noted that the longevity of the partnership between the hospital and Smile Foundation demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations remain committed to a shared purpose.

Smile Foundation CEO Tarri Parfitt said the organisation deeply values its relationship with the hospital and the medical professionals who have championed Smile Week. “Partnerships like this are not built overnight. They are built through years of trust, shared purpose, and an unwavering commitment to children,” Parfitt said.

She added that for Kwandokuhle, the journey was about helping her regain the confidence to walk into school, make friends, and enjoy being six without feeling defined by her appearance.

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