Johannesburg, 27 October 2025 – A small but determined crew of adventurers set off from Johannesburg on Sunday, 26 October, marking the 10th anniversary of the Seven7 Drive for Kids with Cancer. Behind the wheel of the new GWM P300 LS 4X4, the team embarked on a seven-day journey spanning thousands of kilometres across eight provinces, bringing hope, awareness, and compassion to children fighting cancer.
Where Passion Meets Purpose
Leading the expedition for another year is Danie Botha, co-founder of the Seven7 Drive and a seasoned adventurer. With decades of experience behind the wheel of every imaginable vehicle, Botha will guide the team from Johannesburg to Pretoria, revisiting hospitals that have become partners in care and support over the past decade.
“While the Seven7 Drive is expanding its focus on education and early detection, the annual road trip remains our flagship fundraiser,” says Botha. “This year’s route allows us to reconnect with hospitals and communities that have become part of the Seven7 family.”
Joining Botha is award-winning filmmaker Koos Roets, whose portfolio includes iconic South African films such as Paljas (1998) and Faan se Trein (2013). Roets, who recently lost his brother to cancer, brings a deeply personal perspective to the mission. A 24-minute television program documenting the 2025 Seven7 Drive is slated for broadcast in early 2026.
“To help children battling cancer in even the smallest way is profoundly important to me,” says Roets. “If we can make a difference in even one child’s life, this journey will have been worthwhile.”
A Journey That Changes Lives
Ahsheem Singh, originally scheduled to join the 2025 crew, shares how last year’s Seven7 Drive transformed him. “I never imagined that a spontaneous road trip could change my life,” Singh recalls. “Traveling from hospital to hospital, seeing children unable to live full lives, made me realize the power of small actions. While we cannot cure these kids, we can bring hope and awareness.”
Singh was set to join the team from Durban, but a cycling injury forced him to withdraw. His spirit, however, continues to inspire the drive.
Highways, Byways, and Heartfelt Visits
The Seven7 Drive kicks off at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg before heading east to Pietermaritzburg’s Grey Hospital. The route then takes the crew through the stunning landscapes of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and the Free State, visiting hospitals in Bloemfontein, Gqeberha, and Cape Town.
Highlights include the breathtaking Naude’s Nek Pass, a mix of gravel and tarred roads that will test the capabilities of the GWM P300, and the scenic towns of Kareedouw and Indaka Lodge near Marakele National Park. The journey concludes at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria after seven days on the road, leaving behind a trail of hope and awareness.
Partners Driving Change
The Seven7 Drive owes its success to loyal sponsors and community partners. Wrap Vehicles in Johannesburg has provided custom vehicle decals for all ten years, ensuring the GWM P300 LS 4X4 stands out as a symbol of hope. On a grassroots level, towns like Kareedouw open their doors and hearts, providing meals at Norma Jean’s Diner and accommodation at Assegaaibosch Country Hotel, reinforcing the community spirit behind the initiative.
“Compared to the work done by the Seven7 Drive, our contribution is small,” says Wilna Moolman, owner of Norma Jean’s Diner. “It’s our privilege to welcome them back.”
As the 10th edition of the Seven7 Drive sets the wheels in motion, one thing remains certain: where passion and purpose meet adventure, hope travels faster than the fastest vehicle on the road.
