Making Matric Ball Dreams Come True leaves a legacy of dignity, confidence and hope
Hundreds of Class of 2026 matric girls across South Africa have received more than beautiful dresses for one of the biggest milestones of their school journey. Through the Making Matric Ball Dreams Come True for Girls initiative, these girls have been given hope, confidence, dignity and the opportunity to feel celebrated.
Led by Talitha Oosthuizen, 1st Princess Mrs South Africa, the initiative brought together the generosity of South Africans, corporate partners, education stakeholders and the media to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young women who may otherwise have missed their matric ball because of financial hardship.
The three-month national initiative officially concluded on National Women’s Day, 9 August, with the final dress selection and fitting event held in Gauteng.
The initiative was created in response to the growing financial pressure surrounding matric balls, with the overall cost of the occasion potentially reaching R30,000 or more for some families. For girls whose families cannot afford an evening dress, the prospect of missing this once-in-a-lifetime milestone is often a silent heartbreak.
South Africans were invited to donate new and pre-loved evening gowns, and hundreds of beautiful dresses were received from across the country, demonstrating the extraordinary generosity of communities nationwide.
With Hirsch’s opening its stores nationwide as dress donation collection points, support extended far beyond Gauteng. Dresses were distributed to deserving matric girls in several provinces, including the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, while media across the country helped connect girls in need with Talitha.
Learners were invited to enjoy a memorable dress selection and fitting experience, with professional dress alterations provided free of charge to ensure each girl received a dress that fitted perfectly.
The impact was deeply personal.
One matric girl, after receiving her dress, described her matric ball as “one of the best days in her life.”
Another learner, Angela, received her dress by courier and wrote to Talitha: “What I love the most about my dress is that it’s in my favourite colour. Thank you so much, I love my dress.”
For Talitha, these moments capture the true purpose of the initiative. “Making Matric Ball Dreams Come True has never simply been about giving away dresses. It has been about restoring hope, confidence and dignity to young women who deserve to celebrate one of the most important milestones of their school journey,” she says.
“I would like to sincerely thank every South African who donated a dress, our incredible partners SOJO Helping Hands Foundation, Mall of the South and Hirsch’s, as well as Groot FM, ImpactRadio and Radio Pulpit for helping us inspire a nation to make a difference. Together, we have shown that kindness can truly change a young woman’s life.”
The Gauteng Department of Education also played an important role in supporting the initiative and the girls, particularly in the Tshwane North and South Districts.
Dr Musa Hlongwane, Deputy Chief Education Specialist: Policy and Planning, Gauteng Department of Education – Tshwane North District, said: “Talitha is demonstrating what it truly means to live a selfless life. This initiative is instilling hope and dignity in these young women. I encourage every girl receiving a dress to carry this kindness forward and, as they journey into adulthood, always remember to care for others just as others have cared for them.”
Mr Sello Ngwenya of the Gauteng Department of Education – Tshwane South District, added: “We wish all the girls receiving these dresses well. It is so generous of the First Princess to have thought about this life-changing contribution to the nation.”
Talitha extends her heartfelt appreciation to the Gauteng Department of Education, particularly Dr Musa Hlongwane, for giving of herself selflessly to the matric girls.
Most importantly, Talitha thanks every South African who donated a dress, shared the message or helped make a girl’s dream possible.
Talitha will also personally accompany two selected matric girls on their matric ball journeys, assisting with hair, make-up, styling and preparations to make their special days even more memorable.
A LEGACY BEYOND THE DRESSES
The Making Matric Ball Dreams Come True initiative may have ended, but its impact will continue far beyond matric ball season. Every dress donated has carried a powerful message to a young woman: you matter, your dreams matter, and your community believes in you.
The initiative leaves behind more than just hundreds of donated dresses. It leaves behind memories, confidence, dignity, hope – and a powerful reminder of what is possible when South Africans come together to lift one another up.
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