Lukhanyo Mafu, the former University of Fort Hare gardener turned graduate, will soon have even more reason to smile after a Gauteng-based dental practice offered to restore his teeth, at no cost.
Last week, the Daily Dispatch Weekend Edition reported on 39-year-old Mafu from Gaga Skolweni village in Alice, who graduated with a bachelors degree in social science earlier this month at the same university he beautified seven years ago as a gardener.
Mafu’s story of triumph over adversity was shared by thousands of people on social media, many saying he was a true example of “black excellence”.
Those moved by Mafu’s story included the owner of H-Solutions Technologies in Alice, Collin Heshula, who gave him a brand new cellphone, and two villagers, Andile Socenywa, who gave him a sheep, and Sicelo Goduka, who gave him a pair of sneakers.
Another person who was touched by Mafu’s story was dental hygienist Londanani Mmbara, who is the founder of Happy Tooth Dental, based in Randburg in Gauteng.
After reading Mafu’s story on the Dispatch’s Twitter account, Mmbara, who works with a dental therapist and a dental surgeon, said his team had decided to assist by replacing Mafu’s permanent teeth.“Having read Lukhanyo’s story and also being informed that he made all these achievements after serving years in a correctional service institution gave me a need to assist.“Seeing how he had the courage to smile that way in a picture without teeth made me and the team want to boost his confidence and courage by bringing back his natural smile with a new set of permanent teeth,” said Mmbara.Mafu was jailed in 2004 and sentenced to 15 years for a crime he maintains he did not commit. He was released on parole in 2011.Mafu said he lost his front teeth in jail when he was knocked out by an inmate.According to Mmbara the dental procedure will cost no less than R20,000.“The initial procedure is to consult him, examine problems that need attention and attend to them. We will only limit our procedure to filling rotten teeth, if any, cleaning teeth and replacing his permanent teeth with a dental bridge that will resemble his original teeth and colour,” said Mmbara.The dental practice will pay for Mafu’s accommodation and food while he is in Johannesburg.Mafu said although he had not yet found a job, a lot of “good” things had happened since graduating.“I am so happy. I never thought I would have front teeth again,” said Mafu.Mafu will fly to Johannesburg on June 2, where he is expected to spend a week...