There are not many days where you can wear slippers to work, school or the shops and actually be celebrated for it. But on 29 May 2026, South Africans will once again swap their shoes for fluffy slippers for a good cause as Reach For A Dream Foundation brings back its much-loved Slipper Day campaign.
The annual fundraiser, now in its 15th year, hopes to raise R15 million to help make dreams come true for children living with serious illnesses.
Over the years, Slipper Day has become more than just a fun dress-up moment. It has become a symbol of hope for thousands of children fighting illnesses like cancer, heart conditions and organ failure.
Since 1988, Reach For A Dream has fulfilled close to 30,000 dreams for children across South Africa. Sometimes those dreams are big adventures like flying in a plane or meeting a celebrity. Other times, it is something simple but meaningful, like getting to be a vet, a pilot or a TV star for a day.
For 18-year-old Zinokhanyo Nyangule, whose dream was recently fulfilled by the foundation, that moment meant everything.
Nyangule, who has battled cancer three times, shared how Reach For A Dream helped her appear on television after she told them it was something she had always wished for.
“They made it happen,” she said. “That showed me that dreaming is important.”
This year’s campaign is adding a playful twist with what the foundation calls “Fuzzy Facts,” funny and impossible-to-prove claims about slippers. One of them says slippers improve your mood by 61%, while another jokes that slippers boost productivity by nearly half.
While those “facts” may not be backed by science, one thing that is very real is the impact the campaign has on children and their families.
According to Reach For A Dream CEO Julia Sotirianakos, every dream fulfilled creates joy not just for the child, but also for their loved ones and medical teams during incredibly difficult times.
Every day, the foundation fulfils around seven dreams for children around the country. In 2025 alone, it managed to make 2,510 dreams come true.
Taking part in Slipper Day is simple. South Africans can buy a Slipper Day sticker from participating stores, wear their slippers on 29 May and help raise money for the cause. People who buy stickers also stand a chance to win prizes ranging from movie tickets and food vouchers to Crocs, doughnuts and free coffee.
Stickers are available at stores including Wimpy, Dis-Chem Pharmacies, Crazy Store and Krispy Kreme.
At its heart, Slipper Day is a reminder that something as small as wearing slippers can help bring light into a child’s life during some of their darkest days.
Because sometimes, dreams really do matter.
