On the morning of a matric ball, many pupils are busy getting ready for their big night.
Ronaldinho Norman was standing over a braai.
By the time he arrived at the ball that evening, he and his family had fed around 300 people in his community.
It was his idea.
Ronaldinho Norman, 19, is a matric pupil at Eros High School in Cape Town.
Instead of a lavish pre-matric ball celebration, he chose to host a community braai in Pelican Park and Eagle Park, on the Cape Flats.
A BRAAI INSTEAD OF A PARTY
According to Cape Town Etc, the braai was already going by 08:00 on the morning of his matric ball.
The family served residents from the surrounding community, including both adults and children.
The menu included braaied chicken and other meat, savoury rice, fried and braaied potatoes and curry.
Younger children received chicken drumsticks, while older children and adults got larger portions.
PARTY PACKETS FOR THE KIDS
The children didn’t leave empty-handed.
Each child received a party packet filled with chips, chocolates, sweets, lollipops, sherbet and custom stickers.
PLANNED FOR MONTHS
This wasn’t a last-minute decision.
The idea took shape in June, when the family found out the date of his matric ball.
Ronaldinho said he had been “planning this for a few months already.”
According to Cape Coloured Culture, he was inspired by his faith and his family’s own experience of hardship.
Rather than spend the money on a celebration, he kept coming back to one idea: use it to feed children in his community.
FROM THE BRAAI TO THE MATRIC BALL
Once the meals and party packets were handed out, Ronaldinho changed into his matric ball outfit.
He then headed to Barrons Estate in Ottery, where his classmates were celebrating their matric ball on Monday, 21 September.
He didn’t miss his big night. He just made it bigger for everyone around him.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY?
Let us know in the comments below…