At a heart-warming gala event, Matlaila celebrated the potential of the beneficiaries of her 27 Dresses campaign to overcome the disadvantages of their backgrounds and reach for their dreams.
She has a vision to inspire and uplift the youth of South Africa through year-round inspirational campaigns as well as annual charitable initiatives to coincide with her birthday. For her 27th birthday, Matlaila launched the 27 Dresses drive, donating red-carpet gowns to 27 deserving matric girls, selected from underprivileged schools by their own teachers for excellence in academics, sport or community involvement.
The bright-eyed girls joined Matlaila and friends on 31 August for an afternoon of good food, good music and inspirational discussions.
Dr Tshidi Gule, founder of Medispace Wellness Institute, commended the matrics for their passion to learn and grow, and urged them to follow their own voices, while maintaining their integrity and humility.
“It’s not enough to dream – you have to act on it. Your story can only matter if you believe you have a voice worth being heard,” Gule stressed.
Bongi Mlotshwa, make-up artist and mentor to the stars for 22 years, mixed her message of inspiration with motherly advice, urging the girls to invest sensibly in make-up, and to understand the importance of good self-presentation.
“There’s nothing underprivileged about anyone. We are all gifted, we are all intelligent people,” Mlotshwa added.
Bringing the glitter of the big screen to proceedings, actress Zikhona Sodlaka advised the girls to push with everything they have to achieve their dreams.
“People usually join you when the machine is moving,” she laughed, adding, “You must understand that you are enough.”
Guests were also treated to lighter entertainment with massages by Mangwanani Corporate Spa and a stirring performance by talented a cappella group, Beyond Vocal.
Bringing the festive afternoon to a close, Matlaila added her own inspirational message to the matrics saying, “Run your own race.”
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