Mom starts 'Undercover Heroes' to help single parents one matric ball at a time

Nadia Boezak, a mom and founder of NPO and NPC Undercover Heroes is changing lives for single parents, one matric ball at a time.

Now remarried, Boezak says she started her organisation after experiencing what being a single parent was like for 11 years.

"I thought that many single parent homes might share the same struggles when it comes to this particular milestone in their child's life."

One way the organisation supports single parents is by providing kids with outfits for their matric ball. Undercover Heroes also shows gratitude for single parents by throwing them a valedictory to thank them for playing the role of two parents between all life's challenges.

While Boezak won't put a child in a suit from 1988 (unless that's what they want), her aim is to make kids feel comfortable and confident in their matric outfit.

Undercover Heroes works on a recommendation basis where people suggest others in need of a matric ball outfit. Once the participant is selected, funds are raised so that there's a budget for each person.

Sometimes, new dresses are sponsored and other matric ball items are donated too.

"I had my own daughter's matric ball and with the expectation that she needs to look nice and not letting her go to the matric ball not looking the part. I'm remarried now, but I was a single mom and I thought to myself that surely, there are single parents out here who can't afford this, who can't do this... and that's where the passion started for me to just start in this avenue."

"I think when it comes to matric balls, it's the glitz and glam these days... and parents are stressing because the expectation of society that my kid needs to look a certain way stresses people out."

"For parents, you just want your child to look decent, shine, not feel or look the circumstances on the day."

"The kids, when they walk out of their house, they are so proud... there's lots of emotions involved and lots of tears going around."

To help this organisation continue making dreams come true and change lives through donations, reach out to Boezak on undercoverheroes.co.za or find them online on Facebook and Instagram.

To listen to Nadia Boezak in conversation with Clarence Ford on CapeTalk's Views and News show, click on the audio below: