At 19, Ronaldinho Norman had a perfectly good reason to make his matric ball all about himself. He was the first grandchild in his family to reach matric, and his mother, Hilda Booysen, had missed out on completing the school milestone herself.
A big send-off at home would have been an understandable choice. Instead, Ronaldinho wanted to spend the occasion feeding people who might otherwise go hungry.
By the time he arrived at his matric ball on Monday, 21 September, he and his family had already prepared and served a braai feast for roughly 300 adults and children in Pelican Park and Eagle Park on the Cape Flats.
When the school announced the ball date in June, his family began discussing a celebration. Ronaldinho kept returning to one idea: use the money to feed children in the community.
Booysen recalled her son’s response to the prospect of a traditional party. He questioned the expense of hosting people who could afford to eat out when families nearby were struggling to put food on the table.
His mother had spent four years helping people in need through her work with a local non-profit organisation. Ronaldinho had watched her give her time to others, and his involvement with Conquering Through Faith Ministries had strengthened his own commitment to helping people.
He wanted his matric ball to reflect those values.
“I’ve always had the idea to give… to the underprivileged people, and this was inspired by my church,” he told News24.
“It is a blessing to give unto those who do not have.”
The decision called for considerably more work than booking a venue and arranging decorations. The family spent three days preparing for the feeding initiative, with boxes of chicken, meat and vegetables filling their lounge.
On the morning of the ball, the braai was going by 8am. Chicken and other meat cooked over the coals while potatoes were fried and rice, garlic bread and curry noodle salad were prepared for the crowd.
Children received party packets filled with chips, chocolates, sweets, lollipops, sherbet and custom stickers. The younger guests were given chicken drumsticks, while older children and adults received larger portions.
11 Matric Ball Arrivals That Will Shock You, Humour You, Or Warm Your Heart
Booysen handled the serving alongside two helpers. Ronaldinho’s grandmother prepared the rice, and a family friend made the noodle salad. Ronaldinho also put money from his mobile car-wash business towards the noodles and party packets.
It was a family effort, with a practical goal: give hundreds of people a proper meal and let the children enjoy a treat of their own.
For Ronaldinho, the response from the community made the hours of preparation worthwhile. He was proud that the family’s money and hard work had gone towards something that mattered to people who needed it.
His decision also came from knowing what it was like to struggle.
“When we had nothing, people always looked out for us,” he said. He believes that people who have the means to give should remember those who have less.
That outlook carries particular weight given the medical challenges he has faced since birth.
Ronaldinho was born with an anorectal malformation, a single kidney located in his abdomen and a double bladder. Doctors reconstructed his bladder during an eight-hour operation, following his first surgery at five days old.
Booysen estimates that her son has undergone about 20 operations, including 12 major procedures. He also has a fused lower spine and a disc that sits outside its usual position.
Yet he remains active and plays soccer. His mother says doctors have been surprised by his ability to walk, run and play despite the condition of his spine.
His life has involved considerable medical challenges, but his ambitions extend well beyond them. He plans to study business management and continue running his mobile car-wash business.
The braai also left him with enough time to enjoy the occasion he had chosen to celebrate differently.
After helping distribute the meals and party packets, Ronaldinho put on his suit and posed for photographs at home. He then headed to Barrons Estate in Ottery, where his classmates were enjoying their matric ball.
He arrived later than some of them, but still joined in with the dancing, singing and food. Rather than a luxury sports car, his transport was a friend’s VR6.
After around two hours at the venue, he returned home in the same van used to deliver the food. His mother helped collect his friends and drop them off, and the boys ended the night playing games together.
About The Author
