THE dream of a five-year-old girl from Kagiso on the West Rand to meet her idol, Zahara, became a reality yesterday.

Opelong Madisakwane, who suffers from a chronic kidney disease, met her idol at Melville, Johannesburg, through the help of the Reach for a Dream Foundation, a charity organisation that inspires hope by fulfilling the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses.

The bubbly girl almost brought Zahara to tears when she sang her famous song Loliwe. "This has touched me in a big way," Zahara declared. "I love kids and they love me too. I am glad that I have made her dream come true."

Afterwards, Zahara - accompanied by a proud Opelong and her elder sister Keamo - bought Opelong a guitar.

Zahara also revealed: "I have started an initiative called Blooming Flower where I collect and distribute guitars to disadvantaged young girls in 53 countries in Africa. It is not about the guitar, it's about giving children hope that they can make it in life despite all the challenges."

Opelong also received a piano and earphones donated by Rocksolid Music.

- bambalelep@sowetan.co.za