Seven7 Drive for Kids with Cancer was founded in 2015 to bring hope to children living with cancer and to raise awareness of the illness in the hope of earlier detection.
The event kicked off on Heritage Day (24th September 2026) and would see over 200 children across eight hospitals receive gifts and supplies.
The Changan F70 Hunter 2.0 4WD Auto diesel double-cab proved a worthy support vehicle on the 5000km journey across seven provinces to visit eight hospitals.
Johannesburg, South Africa – October 2026: Jameel Motors is proud to be part of the 2026 Seven7 Drive for Kids with Cancer, with the contribution of a Hunter as part of the fleet of vehicles for this impactful mission.
The volunteers met on a brisk, cold morning at sunrise on 24 September (Heritage Day), with a heartwarming goal as they set off for the inaugural leg of the journey. Over the following week, the route covered more than 5000km of South African roads in all manner of states, from highways to farm tracks, gravel, and dirt. The aim was to spend the final week of September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, delivering gifts of hope and cheer to over 200 children living with cancer. That meant crossing heavily pockmarked tarmac and badly damaged rural roads to reach the paediatric oncology wards in the areas most in need.
The drive began at Steve Biko Hospital in Pretoria and wound its way north through Polokwane and Thabazimbi in the Limpopo Province, then down south via Kimberley to Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town in the Western Cape. This would serve as the trip’s halfway mark before returning via Kareedouw, Bloemfontein and Swartberg to finish at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg. The picturesque towns and grand rolling countryside vistas punctuated each meaningful visit to the next set of children. Along the way, four-wheel drive proved a boon. Danie Botha, a founding member of Seven7 Drive, recalls: "It is hard to believe we used to do this in two-wheel-drive vehicles, but as we've learned over the years, the weather can be really unkind. The last thing you want is to have to cancel a visit because the car can't get you there." The crew quickly felt this sentiment and would rather endure road closures and hastily uncovered alternate routes than disappoint any of the children expecting a visit. Those alternate gravel lanes -most memorably around the town of Loxton, were often slippery and entertaining for the drivers of the support vehicles, adding some levity to an otherwise, sombre at times, trip through Mzansi.
Along the way, the convoy visited multiple hospitals and halfway houses, uncovering stories of hope such as that of Nita van der Berg, a young cancer survivor from Bloemfontein. The team also met Bobby Were, an advocate for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), who said: "I know it's been a heck of a long way for you guys to come, but we really appreciate it. The joy that you have brought to these kids today helps them because they know they're not alone. They can see something tangible and feel that there is someone thinking about them. And we truly appreciate it. Thank you."
On the trip, the group encountered great contrasts. Hot days followed by torrential downpours. Parking lots saw less traffic than the hospital buildings themselves. But the memories that will endure are the ones spent with the always-smiling faces of those strong children, the loving parents who sat by their bedsides, and the friends of Seven7 Drive encountered along the way, including hotels, restaurants, farms and charities such as Meals on Wheels that assisted our travellers. While every ward visit was filled with emotion, the overarching feeling remained optimism.
Despite the long days – stretching from before sunrise to well beyond sunset, the Hunter made the trip effortless thanks to its 110kW and 350Nm turbodiesel powertrain, generous 226mm ground clearance and rear differential lock. The last proved vital when the asphalt gave way to slippery clay and dirt, as it did on the scenic Bakkers Pass between Polokwane and Thabazimbi, and again on Naudé's Nek Pass linking Rhodes Village to Vrederus in the Eastern Cape. Approach and departure angles of 28 and 27 degrees respectively further helped it climb and descend increasingly rough agricultural roads, even with its 1000kg maximum payload brimming with crew, gear, and gifts of blankets, beanies, socks, snacks and more.
Fatigue is typically a factor on long 800km-a-day drives, but the Hunter's well-appointed cabin remained comfortable thanks to electric leather seats, cruise control, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen and multiple charging points, including a 12V socket in the load bed. Extensive safety features, including curtain airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, stability and traction control, and hill-hold and hill-descent control, made for a confidence-inspiring journey.
Marinus Venter, Country Manager at Jameel Motors South Africa, said: "On a sobering mission like this, it's obviously about the kids and Seven7 Drive's inspiring efforts to spread some joy. But we're thrilled to have been able to provide Danie and his team with a vehicle that could go the full distance and carry all their essentials. Connecting these communities is invaluable to Changan, and so is making a positive impact. I hope we've achieved both by joining the 2026 Seven7 Drive."
