Driven to Evolve: Seven7 Drive welcomes Jameel Motors and Changan as sponsor
Highways, traffic, gravel, potholes, livestock, pedestrians, rain, mud, wind and mountain passes – on occasion even snow. This is but a snapshot of the elements that annual Seven7 Drive for kids with cancer encounters on its seven-day journey across South Africa as it spreads a message of hope. Add to that a crew, equipment and each hospital visit’s required care packages, and vehicle choice becomes a key success factor. It’s for this very reason that this year’s Seven7 Drive will be executed exclusively with double-cab bakkies.
“We have done the Seven7 Drive in everything from front-wheel drive SUVs to boxy crossovers to bakkies, and it’s the latter that stood out every time,” recalls Danie Botha, co-founder and Managing Director of the Seven7 Drive NPC. “With the crew’s equipment, limited personal baggage and care packages for more than 200 kids, space is the ultimate requirement. Bakkies tick that box in every way, with the added benefits of better ground clearance for those parts of the route where the going gets a little bit tougher, and excellent comfort for when the fatigue kicks in.”
Heeding the call for participation, Jameel Motors South Africa, Changan’s official importer and distributor, was the first to raise their hand for this year’s adventure with the Changan Hunter F70 4WD Auto, a double-cab that ticks every box for the nearly-7,000km Drive and exemplifies the brand’s commitment to create vehicles that do more than simply move you from point A to point B.
“Jameel Motors is proud to participate in the 2026 Seven7 Drive because it combines two things we are deeply passionate about: connecting communities, and creating meaningful impact,” says Marinus Venter, Country Manager at Jameel Motors South Africa.
“As this extraordinary journey travels thousands of kilometres across South Africa, it shines a spotlight on the importance of early childhood cancer detection while raising much-needed funds to support families navigating the cancer journey. By supporting this initiative, we are not only showcasing the capability and reliability of our vehicles, but also contributing to a cause that brings hope, awareness and support to children and families affected by cancer,” adds Venter.
Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the F70’s 110kW of power and 350 Nm of torque will stand it in good stead during the Seven7 Drive, while its 226mm ground clearance, robust suspension and rear-diff lock will make light work of the road less travelled. Then there’s the Changan Hunter F70’s ability to easily carry 1,100kgs of books, equipment and crew needed for this initiative.
“It’s almost unthinkable that double-cab bakkies were once considered nothing more than a workhorse with extra seats. These bakkies have fully transcended that image to become one of the most aspirational forms of personal transport in South Africa, balancing the inherent practicality it offers its owners with comfort and convenience that often rival past luxury benchmarks in the passenger car market,” says Botha.
“Changan’s focus on building vehicles that inspire its owners to dream bigger and experience what is next, now, resonates with us and we are hugely excited about Jameel Motors’ participation in this year’s Seven7 Drive,” he adds. “The Hunter F70 is a prime example of what double-cabs have become for South African consumers, combining strength, versatility and striking design into a package that offers exactly what it says on the box: toughness where it counts, refinement where it matters.”
The 2026 Seven7 Drive for kids with cancer is scheduled to depart from the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in the City of Tshwane on 24 September 2026.
