- Childhood cancer-focused NPC welcomes GWM South Africa as vehicle partner for the 10th Anniversary Edition of the annual Seven7 Drive for Kids with Cancer
- Cross-country drive kicks off on 26 October 2025
It all started with an audacious idea in 2015: visit seven hospitals in seven days, in seven different countries, delivering supplies to kids with cancer at each hospital ward. It was so audacious that it inspired a vehicle brand to sign on as official partner, and some additional gear suppliers to also invest their own expertise. And so the Seven7 Drive for Kids with Cancer was born.
In hindsight, the team will tell you that they had no idea whether this idea was doable. Yet somehow, they managed to cover 7,000km in seven days, visiting hospitals and delivering supplies in South Africa and six of its neighbouring countries. And then they did it again. And again. A decade later, the Seven7 Drive is still at it.
“For many years, we delivered supplies and gifts to kids with cancer, and although this certainly brightened their day, we were always looking for a way to make a more tangible difference, and possibly even save lives,” says Danie Botha, co-founder and managing director of Seven7 Drive NPC. “Our focus shifted over time to maximise impact in South Africa first, and we have since also turned the ‘drive’ into a registered NPC with four board members. We’re still dreaming up those big, audacious plans, but our vision has become clearer.”
Same Goal, New Partners
Seven7 Drive is delighted to announce GWM South Africa as its new vehicle partner for the 2025 edition, the brand generously availing the recently launched P300 LS 4×4 bakkie for the trip.
“At GWM, we believe that true strength lies not just in performance, but in purpose. Partnering with Seven7 Drive is deeply meaningful for us because it represents compassion in motion; a journey that uses hope, awareness, and connection to those who need it most. We’re honoured that GWM can play a small part in helping drive that mission forward,” says Floyd Ramabulana, Head of Marketing at GWM South Africa.
This is the second time that GWM has joined forces with Seven7, following the NPC’s multibrand outreach to Polokwane in October 2024. Partnering with CANSA, the Seven7 Drive team, using a GWM Tank 300 HEV amongst others, picked up six cancer kids and their moms and transported them from the Polokwane Hospital to Adventures with Elephants near Bela-Bela.
“Seven7 Drive is honoured to have had a consistent vehicle partner since the very beginning and will forever look back at the early days through the lens of the vehicles that allowed us to pursue this dream,” comments Botha. “As we enter a new decade for the NPC, we look back with gratitude but also look to the future and the possibilities it holds. We are grateful to GWM for their support this year,” he adds.
A bakkie for every battle
The GWM P300 LS embodies all the elements that South African bakkie drivers value: toughness, capacity and eye-turning looks that stand out whether it is used in the city, on a work site or – indeed – on an adventure. “It was developed for customers who refuse to compromise,” comments Ramabulana. “It’s for those who want more power, more confidence and more style – all wrapped up in a package that is very competitively priced.”
And that it certainly is: the P300 2.4 TD LS 4X4 that the Seven7 Drive team will use this year is priced at R579,900, which includes a comprehensive and transferrable seven-year, 200,000km warranty with roadside assistance, as well as a seven-year, 75,000km service plan. Powered by a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine, the P300 has 135 kW of power and 480 Nm of torque at its disposal, delivering more than sufficient grunt for hauling heavy loads or tackling steep climbs, like the breathtaking Naude’s Neck pass that has become synonymous with the Seven7 Drive.
Paired with a sophisticated nine-speed automatic transmission, it ensures a seamless flow of power across all terrains, further aided by the rugged platform on which it is built. The P300 features a split chassis guard, double wishbone front suspension and leaf spring rigid axle suspension at the rear. The 4×4 version that will be used in the Seven7 Drive also comes with an electronic rear differential lock.
Seven days, Seven hospitals
This year’s Seven7 Drive will follow the tried and tested approach that’s been established over time, departing from Johannesburg’s Charlotte Maxeke Hospital on Sunday, October 26th, and concluding at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in the City of Tshwane on Sunday, November 1st. In between, the team will visit hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape and Limpopo.
“We have recently engaged with one of Africa’s top paediatric oncologists. In some instances, the mortality rate among kids with cancer is higher than 80%,” Botha explains. “That’s an atrocious equation and can be significantly reduced through education and more awareness about early detection. The earlier the correct diagnosis can be made, the faster the treatment can start, and more kids will survive. This aspect has become the core focus of our mission: give the kids some supplies and hope, but also work towards educating medical staff in smaller centres about cancer symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.”
Follow the 2025 Seven7 Drive’s progress on Facebook: www.facebook.com/seven7Drive
