27 dresses make 27 girls’ dreams come true
FOURWAYS - Dancer, actress, choreographer and philanthropist Thandy Matlaila brings her considerable energy to an initiative inspiring underprivileged matric girls in Diepsloot and across Gauteng.
Kwena Molapo School in Diepsloot was the first school Matlaila visited to spread the word of her birthday-themed charity initiative.
A performer and businesswoman with a strong social conscience, Matlaila is extensively involved in youth upliftment, and runs an annual charitable initiative to coincide with her birthday.
This year, Matlaila’s 27th birthday, the romantic comedy 27 Dresses came to mind.
“I thought, I’ve got 27 dresses. Why not give them away to someone deserving?” Matlaila smiled.
And so the 27 Dresses initiative was conceived, donating matric dance dresses to 27 girls from underprivileged schools who show excellence and dedication in sports, academics or community involvement. Matlaila wants to motivate the youth to rise above disadvantages and realise the potential of their dreams.
“Forget your circumstances – they don’t make you who you are,” she emphasised.
“I’ve had that support and I’m grateful for it…When you’re blessed you need to bless others,” she added, describing the desire to pay her success forward.
Participating schools are chosen by the Department of Arts and Culture, Sbu Leope’s Education Foundation and EmpowerVate. Matlaila visits each school to outline the scheme, and lucky recipients are chosen by their teachers. Every dress comes from the spotlight of a celebrity event, donated by Matlaila and fellow South African stars.
Matlaila welcomes involvement from other organisations and the public. Five dresses will be given away on popular lifestyle show, Selimathunzi, modelled onscreen by Matlaila herself alongside four aspiring models. In addition, those who have dresses, shoes or bags to donate are encouraged to contact Matlaila, who has undertaken, alongside Power FM, to provide additional dresses to one particularly disadvantaged school, Assemblies of God.
This year’s dresses go to matric girls, but Matlaila is reaching out to male pupils and younger grades as well. She hopes this will be the first year of an ongoing initiative, motivating young
people with her own motto, “Know yourself, love yourself, trust yourself.”
Details: info@aptitudeconsulting.co.za
Hey selimathunzi i would like to be helped with a matric dance outfit and our farewell is on the 1st of december and i will appriciate help from you