THEMBANI Marhanele Marhan
Editors Insights
Welcome to The Fortune Leader's Special
Edi on: Africa's Most Visionary Leaders Powering the Renewable Energy Future. Africa's renewable energy journey is entering a defining phase. It is no longer shaped only by infrastructure, policy frameworks, or technological advancement, but by leadership that recognizes energy as a tool for social transforma on. In this special edi on, The Fortune Leader spotlights a new genera on of visionary leaders who are redefining sustainability by ensuring that progress serves people first.
Central to this feature is Thembani Marhanele, Chief Execu ve Officer of JEKA Energy, whose leadership reflects a people-centered approach to clean energy development. Marhanele challenges tradi onal industry models by placing equity, inclusion, and community par cipa on at the heart of the energy transi on. For him, renewable energy is not measured solely in megawa s or capacity addi ons, but in its ability to improve livelihoods, expand opportunity, and strengthen communi es.
Grounded in African values and informed by global best prac ces, Marhanele is a strong advocate of a Just Energy Transi on one in which communi es are ac ve partners rather than passive beneficiaries. Through innova ve financing structures, cross-border collabora on, and a long-term development mindset, JEKA Energy demonstrates how renewable energy projects can deliver far-reaching social impact. These ini a ves contribute to job crea on, skills development, youth empowerment, and access to educa on, while restoring dignity to communi es that have historically been excluded from economic growth.
This editorial celebrates leadership that rejects shortterm gains and extrac ve approaches to development. It honors those who believe that Africa's green future must be designed, built, and sustained by Africans, for Africans. The narra ve that follows is not only about renewable energy, but about principled leadership, ethical responsibility, and collabora on as drivers of las ng change.
As you engage with this feature, we invite you to reflect on the future being shaped today one where sustainability and social jus ce advance together, illumina ng a shared path toward inclusive prosperity across the con nent.
Editor-in-chief Sco Edward
Sales & Marke ng Manager
Lily Hayler
Business Development Manager
Lauren Green, Millie Butler, Rosie Jonas
Business Development Execu ve
Victoria Ma hews, Ashley Tucker
EDITORIAL TEAM For
Art and Design Director
Paul Brown
Research Analyst
Robert Smith
For
10 Cover Story THEMBANI Marhanele
THEMBANI Marhanele
The Mission To Redefine Renewable Energy From The Ground Up
Onthesun-scorchedplainsandfast-growingcities
ofAfrica,thefutureofenergyisnolongera distantpromise.Itisbeingactivelydesigned, debated,anddeployedbyleaderswhobelievethatclean powermustdomorethanlighthomesorfuelindustriesit musttransformlives.Atthecenterofthismovementstands ThembaniMarhanele,CEOofJEKAEnergy,arenewable energydeveloperchampioningwhathecallsaJustEnergy Transitiononethatplacescommunitiesattheheartof Africa'sgreenfuture.
Marhanele'sleadershipisnotdrivenbyabstractclimate goalsorimportedsolutions.Instead,itisgroundedinlived experiences,globaltraining,andadeepconvictionthat Africa'senergytransitionmustbeinclusive,locallyrooted, andsociallytransformative.
FromGlobalLearningtoAfricanPurpose
Marhanele'sprofessionaljourneyintorenewableenergyis shapedbybothinternationalexposureandadistinctly Africanworldview.In2019,heearnedcertificationasan InternationalRenewableEnergyProjectDeveloperthrough theRenewablesAcademyinBerlin,Germany Ayearlater, hefurtherspecializedasaCountryCOBENEFITS SpecialistinRenewableEnergy,focusingonaligningclean energyprojectswithsocio-economicbenefits.Inparallel,he wastrainedasaClimateRealityLeaderbyAlGorein 2020,strengtheninghisglobalperspectiveonclimate action.
Yet,forMarhanele,thesecredentialswereneverabout personaladvancement.Theyweretoolsmeanstoanend. HistruemotivationliesinapassionforpreservingPlanet EarthwhileensuringthatAfrica'stransitiontocleanenergy deliverstangible,inclusivesocio-economicbenefits.
Renewableenergy,inhisview,isnotjustatechnical solution.Itisamoralimperativeandanopportunityto correctlong-standinginequalitiesinaccesstopower, opportunity,andparticipation.
AVisionRootedinJustice
AtthecoreofMarhanele'sleadershipphilosophyisa simplebutradicalidea:aJustEnergyTransitionmustbe trulyjust.ForJEKAEnergy,thismeanscommunitiesare notpassiverecipientsofrenewableenergyprojects.They areactiveparticipantsfromconceptandadoptionto implementationandlong-termoperation.Thisapproach alignsdirectlywiththeUnitedNationsSustainable
DevelopmentGoals,particularlythoserelatedtoaffordable, clean,andsafeenergyaccess.
Marhanelebelievesthatenergyprojectsimposedon communities,withoutconsultationorinclusion,are destinedtofailsociallyeveniftheysucceedtechnically. Hisvisioninsistsondignity,ownership,andsharedvalue creationasnon-negotiablepillarsofrenewable development.
ChallengingTraditionalIndustryThinking
Advancingthisvisionhasnotbeenwithoutresistance.One ofthemostsignificantchallengesMarhanelehasfacedis persuadingtraditionalpartnersandoriginalequipment manufacturers(OEMs)tosupportcommunity-focused initiatives.Manypreferredconventionalsponsorship modelsthatoffervisibilitybutlittlestructuralchange.
Ratherthancompromisehisprinciples,Marhanelechosea differentroute.JEKAEnergypartneredwithnon-profit organizationsandbeganself-fundinginitiativesthroughits innovativeSecondChanceProgram.Insteadofasking suppliersfordonations,JEKAinvitedthemintothevalue chainofferingparticipation,collaboration,andshared impact.Thisshiftreframedcommunitydevelopmentnotas charity,butassmart,sustainablebusinessalignedwith long-termprojectsuccess.
InnovationBeyondTechnology
Whilerenewableenergyisoftendiscussedintermsof megawattsandefficiencycurves,JEKAEnergy'sinnovation liesjustasmuchinitssocialarchitectureasinitstechnical solutions.Thecompanyhostsenergyforumswithin communities,creatingspacesfordialogue,education,and preparation.Theseforumsintroducerenewable technologieswhilealsoexplainingtherolescommunities canplayacrossthevaluechainfrominstallationand maintenancetoadministrationandlocalentrepreneurship.
Trainingprogramsaredesignedtocapacitateparticipantsto engagemeaningfullywithnewtechnologiesandemerging opportunities.ForMarhanele,innovationmeansensuring thatpeoplearenotleftbehindbytechnologicalprogress, butareempoweredtoleadit.
TransformingCommunitiesAcrossBorders
JEKAEnergy'simpactisnotconfinedtoonecountry UnderMarhanele'sleadership,thecompanyoperatesacross
Africa’sMostVisionaryLeadersFuelingtheRenewableEnergy
Zambia,Zimbabwe,Botswana,andLesotho, adaptingitscommunity-centricmodelto diverselocalcontexts.
Ineachmarket,thegoalremainsthesame: enablecommunitiestoparticipate meaningfullyandsustainablyinrenewable energyprojectsdeployedintheirregions. Beyondgrid-scaledevelopments,JEKAalso donates,installs,andoperatesoff-gridsystems forcommunitiesinneedbringingpowerto placeslongexcludedfromenergyaccess. Theseinitiativesdomorethanprovide electricity.Theyunlockeducation,healthcare, entrepreneurship,anddignitykeydriversof Africa'ssustainablegrowth.
TechnologyasaCatalystforJobsand Education
Marhaneleseestechnologyasapowerful enablerofbothenvironmentalandsocial progress.Advancementsinareassuchas waste-to-energyarehelpingaddress environmentalchallengeswhilecreating cleanercommunities.
Moreimportantly,thesetechnologiesare generatingmuch-neededjobsandinspiring youthtobecomechampionsoftheJustEnergy Transition.Byintegratingeducationandskills developmentintoprojectdeployment,JEKA Energyensuresthattechnologicaladoption translatesintolong-termhumancapitalgrowth. InMarhanele'sAfrica,innovationismeasured notonlybyefficiencygains,butbyhowmany livesareupliftedalongtheway.
CollaborationasaCornerstone
Large-scalerenewableadoption,Marhanele argues,cannotbeachievedinsilos. Governments,NGOs,privatesectorplayers, andcommunitiesmustallhaveanequalseatat thetable.
Frompolicyformulationandtechnology adoptiontoindustryadvancementandproject execution,everystakeholderbringslessons thatcanstrengthenthecollectiveoutcome. Thiscollaborativemindsetiscentralto
modelinganenergytransitionthatisnotonlyfast,butfair ForMarhanele,inclusionisnotacourtesyitisastrategic necessity.
DesigningforLongevity
Sustainability,inJEKAEnergy'smodel,extendsfarbeyond environmentalmetrics.Thecompanyinvestsheavilyin long-termprojectviabilitybyforgingstrongrelationships withOEMsandextensivelytraininglocalteamsontheir technologies.
JEKA'sroledoesnotendatprojectcommissioning.The companyremainsinvolvedthroughouttheprojectlifecycle, providinglocalizedsupportandparticipatinginfunding structuresthroughJekaCapital,includingpowerpurchase agreements.Thislong-termcommitmentensuresresilience, accountability,andsustainedcommunitybenefit.
AdviceforAfrica'sNextEnergyLeaders
ToaspiringleaderseagertoshapeAfrica'srenewable future,Marhanele'sadviceisdirect:getinvolvednow, withouthesitation.Heencouragesdeepresearchintothe renewableenergyvaluechain,clarityonone'srolewithin it,andactivecollaborationtobuildecosystemsthatsupport sharedsuccess.Hisguidingbeliefissimpleyetprofound: goodmoneyfollowsgooddeeds.Purpose,whenaligned withcompetenceandcollaboration,becomesapowerful force.
AnAfricanFuture,BuiltinAfrica
Lookingaheadtothenextdecade,Marhaneleenvisions localizedmanufacturingplantsproducingkeycomponents forsolar,wind,hydrogen,andwaste-to-energysystems acrossthecontinent.Suchanecosystemwouldaccelerate deployment,reducecosts,andcreateindustrialjobsat scale.Morethaninfrastructure,hedreamsofamovement onewhereallstakeholderschampionequalrightsand accesstobasicneedswithurgencyandunity
LeadingwithHumilityandHumanity
Despitehisachievements,Marhaneleremainsgrounded. ExtensivetravelacrossAfricahashumbledhim,exposing himtocommunitiesrichinresilience,stories,andsmiles ofteninplaceswithverylittlematerialwealth.
JEKAEnergy,hesays,existsasaconduitforthoseoften forgotten:youth,women,peoplewithdisabilities,retirees, andyoungprofessionals.Byrecruiting,training,and employingcommunitymembers,thecompanyhelpsbreak cyclesofexclusionandredefinespurposeforboththe organizationandtheindividualsitserves.ProudlyAfrican, ThembaniMarhaneleisshapingtheenergytransitionthe Africanwaywithjustice,humanity,andsharedopportunity atitscore.
HEDLEYLEWIS
CEO, Leading CHOC with Compassion and Purpose
HedleyLewis,theChiefExecutiveOfficerofCHOC
ChildhoodCancerFoundationSouthAfrica,isa compassionateandvisionaryleaderdedicatedto improvingthelivesofchildrenbattlingcancerandlifethreateningblooddisorders.Withastrongbackgroundin leadershipandsocialimpact,Hedleyhasbeeninstrumental inexpandingCHOC'snationalreachandenhancingits supportprograms.Hiscommitmenttocommunityservice andchildwelfaredriveshismissiontoensurethatno familyfacesthecancerjourneyalone.Underhisguidance, CHOCcontinuestodeliverholisticcareandadvocacywith empathyandexcellence.
Herearethekeyhighlightsfromtheinterview: Brieftheinceptionstoryofyourorganization?What inspiredyoutoestablishandfollowthemissionand visionofCHOC?
InceptionStory
CHOCwasfoundedin1979byasmallgroupofdedicated parentswhosechildrenwereundergoingcancertreatment. Facedwiththeoverwhelmingemotional,financial,and logisticalchallengesofnavigatingchildhoodcancer,they cametogethertocreateasupportsystemthatwouldease theburdenforotherfamilies.Whatbeganasagrassroots initiativehassincegrownintoanationallyrecognized organization,offeringcomprehensivecareandadvocacyfor childrenwithcancerandlife-threateningblooddisorders. CHOCisaregisteredandinternationallyrecognizedNonProfitOrganisation(NPO),providingholisticsupportto childrenandteenagerswithcancerandlife-threatening blooddisorders,aswellastheirfamilies.Ourservicesspan thecountry,reachingbothurbanandruralcommunities acrossSouthAfrica.
CHOCservesthechildhoodcancercommunityinSouth Africa;however,CHOC'sreachgoesmuchfurther We reachouttocommunitiesandserveindividualsbyoffering arangeofservices.ThroughChildhoodCancer International,CHOCsupportsoursisterorganisationsinthe Sub-SaharanAfricancountriesbybuildingcapacityand sharinginformation.
• CHOCProgrammesincludeaccommodation,transport toandfromtreatmentcentres,FinancialTransport Assistance,andAwarenessTrainingandEducation
ProgrammeontheSiluanEarlyWarningSignsof ChildhoodCancer.
• EmotionalSupport(bothprofessionalandnonprofessional)forchildren,teenagersandtheirfamilies throughtheircancerjourneyaswellaspalliative,endof-lifecareandbereavementsupport.
• PatientSupportforpatientsandfamilies,including essentialCHOCCarebags,nutritionalfoodsupport, andbereavementservices.
ProfessionalEmotionalSupport(PsychosocialSupport Services)
CHOCprovidespsychosocialsupporttochildren, teenagers,andtheirfamiliestohelpthemcopewiththe numerousnewdemandsonthefamilyandtoprovide relevantinformationtoassistthem.
CHOCemploysateamofsocialandsocialauxiliary workerswhoprovidefull-timepsychosocialsupportinthe PaediatricOncologyUnits,fromdiagnosistotheendof treatmentorend-of-lifecare,wherewealsooffer bereavementandgriefsupport.
EmotionalSupport(ParentalandFamilySupport)
Trainedvolunteersprovidecomprehensiveemotional supporttochildren,teenagers,andtheirfamilies.Weoffer supportgroupsforsurvivors,aswellasaParentSupporting-ParentProgramme,whichprovidessupportto parentswhosechildrenhavebeennewlydiagnosedwith cancerthroughgroupdiscussions,andduringparenttea'sat thePaediatricOncologyUnits.
Thepsychosocialteamprovidesupporttoparentsand familiesthroughbereavementandgriefcounselling.Every yearattheendofNovember,RemembranceServicesare heldnationwide.DuringtheRemembranceServices, CHOCremembersthechildrenandteenagerswhobravely foughtandsadlylosttheirlives.Itisachanceforusto standtogetherwiththefamiliesanddoctorsandpaytribute tothesechildrenandteenagers.
CHOCEducationProgramme
TheiPadLearningProgramme,facilitatedbyiSchoolAfrica,commencedinMay2024withCHOCChildhood CancerFoundationSA.Thisinitiativesupportspaediatric oncologypatientsbyensuringtheireducationcontinues
despitethechallengesposedbycancertreatmentand prolongedhospitalstays.TheprogrammebringsiPads loadedwithengagingcontentdirectlytochildrenand teenagersundergoingcancertreatment.Thegoalsinclude reducinganxiety,minimisinglearningloss,andassisting withvarioustherapies.Comprehensivetrainingisprovided tohospitalschoolteachersandteacherconsultantsto integratethetechnologyeffectivelyintothechildrenand teenagers'routinesandeducationalplans.
Vision&Mission
Vision:Allchildrenandteenswithcancerorlifethreateningblooddisordershavecomprehensiveaccessto careandsupport.
Mission:Supportingchildrenandteenagerswithcancer andlife-threateningblooddisorders,andtheirfamilies; improvingearlydetectionandaugmentingeffective treatment.
WhatThisMeanstoFamilies
Forthechildren,teenagersandfamiliesweserve,CHOC's missionandvisiontranslateintohope,dignity,andpractical supportduringoneoflife'smostdifficultjourneys.The organisationstandsasalifelineensuringthatnochildfaces canceraloneandnoparentisleftwithoutguidance. Sincetransitioningfromthecorporateworldtothe nonprofitsector,I'vefounddeeppurposeinlendingmy voicetochildrenwhoseownvoicesareoftenfaintor unheard.CHOC'simpactsupportingover1,700children annually,deliveringthousandsofbednights,andoffering psychosocialcaretofamiliesnationwide,showedmethe powerofcompassioninaction.ItbecameclearthatI wantedtobepartofanorganizationwhere,Icanassistin reshapingthelandscapeofPaediatricOncologyinSouth Africabyempoweringcommunities,strengthening healthcarepartnerships,andensuringthatchildhoodcancer ismetwithexpertise,empathy,andunwaveringsupport.
Q2.Whatweresomeofthemostsignificantchallenges youfacedduringtheearlystages,andhowdidyou navigatethemasaleader?
WhenItransitionedfromthecorporateworldintothe nonprofitsector,IknewIwassteppingintosomethingfar morepersonalandpurpose-ledButthatshiftcamewithits ownsetofchallenges.
Oneofthefirsthurdleswasadaptingtoaresource-limited environment.Incorporatesettings,youoftenhaveaccessto tools,teams,andbudgets.Inthenon-profitworldespecially inhealthcare,youlearntodomorewithless.Itrequireda completeshiftinmindsetandleadershipstyle.
Thencametheemotionalweight.Workingwithchildren andteenagerswhohavebeendiagnosedwithcancerand
theirfamiliesisprofoundlyhumbling.You'renotjust managingprogrammes;you'rewalkingalongsidepeoplein theirmostvulnerablemoments.Thatdemandscompassion, resilience,andakindofleadershipthatlistensmorethanit speaks.
Fundingwas,andstillis,aconstantchallenge.Sustaining programmessuchasaccommodation,transport,nutritional support,andpsychosocialcarerequirescontinuous advocacy,donortrust-building,anddemonstratingtangible impact.However,havingastrong,supportiveteamand boardisabsolutelyvitaltoachievingCHOC'smission.I'm deeplygratefulforthecollaboration,dedication,andshared visionthatcarryusthrougheverychallengeweface.It's throughthisunitedeffortthatwecontinuetomakea meaningfulimpactinthelivesofchildrenwithcancerand theirfamilies.
Raisingawarenessinunderservedcommunitiesalso remainsasignificantchallenge.Earlydetectionsaveslives, yetstigmaandmisinformationpersist.Thatiswhy advocacyandeducationhavebecomecentraltoCHOC's mission.
Throughitall,I'veleanedonpurpose,empathy,and collaboration.I'veworkedcloselywithpaediatric oncologists,governmentdepartments,volunteers,and donors,becauseleadershipinthisspaceisnotabout standingalone,it'saboutstandingtogether
IfI'velearnedanything,it'sthis:resilienceisnotjustabout bouncingback,it'saboutstayinggroundedinyourmission evenwhentheroadgetstough.That'swhatkeepsmeand CHOCmovingforward.
Intoday'srapidlyevolvingbusinessworld,whatcore valuesandleadershiptraitsdoyoubelievearemost importantforlong-termsuccess?
Childhoodcanceradvocacyisn'tjustahealthcareissue;it's ahumanrightsissue.ThenextgenerationofAfricanleaders mustbeboldenoughtochallengebrokensystems, compassionateenoughtowalkwithfamilies,andvisionary enoughtobuildafuturewherenochildisleftbehind. Trueleadershipinthisspacemustbeginwithcompassion. Everydecisionaffectsreallives,childrendeterminedto surviveandfamiliesnavigatinggriefanduncertainty. Compassionbuildstrust,andtrustbuildsresilience. Leadersmustalsobeavoiceforthevoiceless.Across Africa,toomanychildrenandteenagersarediagnosedtoo lateduetostigmaandlackofawareness.Wemustinfluence policy,engagemedia,andfightforequity
Beyondtreatment,wemustbuildsystemsofholistic supportthatempowerfamilies.AtCHOC,weprovide accommodation,nutritiousmeals,transport,and psychosocialcare.Thesearenotluxuries;theyarelifelines. Collaborationisessential.Weworkhand-in-handwith paediatriconcologists,nurses,socialworkers,government, andNGOs.OurpartnershipswithSAPHOandtheTumour Registryareexamplesofhowcollectiveeffortcreates systemicchange.
Finally,leadersmustremainresilientandpurposedriven. Theworkistough,fundingislimited,andtheemotional tollisheavy.Butthemissionistooimportanttoabandon. AtCHOC,westayfocusedonthechildren,weadapt,we grow,andwekeepshowingup.
Tothenextgenerationofleaders:leadwithheart,build withvision,andneverforgetwhoyou'redoingitfor.
Inyouropinion,whatarethekeyqualitiesrequiredfor asuccessfulleaderintoday'sbusinessenvironment?
Leadership,particularlyinthenon-profithealthcaresector, isimpossiblewithoutastrongandpassionateteam.At CHOCChildhoodCancerFoundationSA,ourregional teams,socialworkers,andvolunteers,worknearpaediatric oncologyunitsacrossthecountry,ensuringthatfamilies receiveconsistent,practical,andemotionalsupportduring themostchallengingtimesoftheirlives.
Thisfrontlinepresenceisbackedbyarobustfinanceand governanceframework,alongwithadedicatedHRfunction thatempowersstafftofocusonwhatmattersmostwhile supportingchildren,teenagersandtheirfamilies.With systemsinplacetoensurecompliance,transparency,and operationalefficiency,ourteamscanchanneltheirenergy intocare,advocacy,andimpact.
Strongfundraisingprogrammes,drivenbyempathyand
strategicexecution,allowCHOCtosustainandgrowits services.Ourstaffandvolunteersgainimmensepersonal andprofessionalfulfilmentfromtheworktheydo, witnessingtheresilienceofadolescents,thegratitudeof families,andthetangibledifferencetheireffortsmakein thelivesofothers.Thisworkcultivatesadeepsenseof purpose,compassion,andunityacrosstheorganisation. Attheheartofthiscohesiveandmission-drivencultureas theCEO,myleadershipbringstogetherdiverseteams underasharedvisionofexcellence,compassion,and accountability.IensurethateverypartofCHOCfrom governanceandfundraisingtofrontlinesupportisaligned andworkingcollaboratively.Myabilitytoinspire,connect, andleadwithintegrityhasbeeninstrumentalinbuildinga unitedorganisationwhereeveryteammemberfeelsvalued, supported,anddrivenbythecause.
Together,CHOC'speopleformapowerfulforceforgood, onethatnotonlyupliftschildrenandteenagerswithcancer andtheirfamiliesbutalsostrengthensthebroader healthcareandnon-profitlandscapeinSouthAfrica. Buildingonthisfoundation,Ibelievethefollowing leadershipqualitiesareessential:
• Authenticity:Greatleadersaregroundedinwhothey are,leadwithintegrity,andarenotafraidtoshow vulnerability.
• Empathyandcompassion:Emotionalintelligenceis non-negotiable.Understandingyourteamand communitybuildstrustandresilience.
• Visionarythinking:Leadersmustinspireotherstoward abetterfuture,anticipatingchangeandembracing innovation.
• Adaptability:Theworldisfast-changing.Leadersmust beagile,opentofeedback,andcommittedtolifelong learning.
• Collaborationandinfluence:Leadershiptodayisabout buildingcoalitionsandempoweringothers,not controllingthem.
• Resilience:Setbackswillcome,buttrueleadersremain steady,modelperseverance,andinspireotherstodothe same.
• Strategiccommunication:Clear,transparent,and inspiringcommunicationalignspeoplewithpurpose anddrivescultureandimpact.
Whatadvicewouldyouoffertothenextgenerationof entrepreneursandleadersacrossAfrica?
Myadviceissimplebutprofound:leadwithempathy.In ourfield,compassionisn'taluxury,it'sanecessity.Every childweserveismorethanadiagnosis;everycaregiveris morethanasupportsystem.Theyaretheheartbeatofour mission.
Buildsystemsthatwraparoundthefamilyholisticallymedically,emotionally,logistically,andsocially.AtCHOC,
we'veseenhowsomethingassimpleasawarmbed,ameal, atransportvoucher,oralisteningearcantransforma family'sexperience.
Embraceinnovationfromdata-driventreatmentplansto mobilehealthtoolsbutensurethattechnologyserves humanityandreacheseventhemostremotecommunities. Aboveall,embracecollaboration.AtCHOCChildhood CancerFoundationSA,partnershipisnotjustastrategy,it's alifeline.Weactivelyengagewithawidenetworkof stakeholdersincludinggovernmentdepartments,publicand privatehospitals,NGOs,corporates,andcommunity organisations.Theserelationshipsarefoundationaltoour missionofsupportingchildrenwithcancerandtheir families.Thesealliancesaredeeplymeaningful.They reflectasharedcommitmenttodignity,hope,andhealing. Everystakeholderplaysaroleinthejourneyofachildor teenagerwhohasbeendiagnosedwithcancer,andCHOCis proudtobethethreadthatweavestheseeffortstogether ToyoungAfricanleaders:bebold,bekind,andbe relentless.Thechildrenofthiscontinentdeservenothing less.
I'vehadtheprivilegeofsurroundingmyselfwithan exceptionalteam,andItrulybelieveIworkalongsidesome ofthemostdedicatedandcompassionateindividuals. Together,wearenotjustcolleagues—weareaunitedforce makingameaningfuldifferenceinthelivesofchildrenwith cancer.I'mdeeplyhonouredtoworkwithpeoplewhobring heart,purpose,andunwaveringcommitmenttoeverything theydo.
Whatdoyouseeasthemostimpactfultrendsor transformationsshapingyourindustryin2025and beyond?
Thechildhoodcancerfieldisundergoingprofound transformation,drivenbyinnovation,collaboration,and equity.
Weareataturningpoint.Inhigh-incomecountries, survivalratesforchildhoodcancerexceed80%,whilein manypartsofAfrica,survivalisjust20%.Thisdisparityis unacceptable—itisacalltoaction.
GlobalinitiativessuchastheWHOGlobalInitiativefor ChildhoodCancer(CureAllframework)areworkingto raisesurvivalratesto60%by2030.ForCHOC,thismeans deepeningourinvolvementinpublichealth,advocacy,and grassrootsawareness.
Familiesaffectedbychildhoodcancerfaceimmense psychological,emotional,financial,andlogistical challenges.Manyexperiencesstrainduetotraveldistances totreatmentcentres,lackofnearbyaccommodation,out-ofpocketexpenses,anddisruptionstofamilylife.Theburden
issharednotonlybypatients,butalsobyparents,siblings, andcaregivers.Asreflectedintheglobalcampaign #WeAllLiveIt,whenachildisdiagnosedwithcancer,the entirefamilyembarksonthejourneytogether.But medicinealoneisnotenough.Healingrequireswraparound support,bedsnearhospitals,nutritiousmeals,transport assistance,andpsychosocialcare.CHOC'sintegratedmodel isdesignedtoprovidethis,anditisincreasinglybeing recognisedasbestpracticeworldwide.
Collaborationisanotherkeydriver.Governments,NGOs, hospitals,andtheprivatesectorareworkingtogetherlike neverbefore.CHOC'spartnershipshelpshapenational policyandstrengthenhealthcaresystemsfromtheground up.TheDepartmentofHealth,NCR,CHOC,SAAPHO, andWHOcommendthededicationofhealthcare professionals,supportorganisations,andmembersofthe publicwhooffervitalcareandcompassiontochildrenwith cancer TheNCRremainscommittedtoensuringaccurate datacollectionandanalysistoinformdecision-makingand improveoutcomes.
Finally,thevoicesofsurvivorsarereshapingthe conversation.Theirstoriesguidehowwedesign programmesandensurelong-termhealing.
Thefutureofchildhoodcancercarewillbemore connected,compassionate,andequitableandCHOCis determinedtohelpleadthattransformation.
Briefusaboutyourfutureroadmap.
Ourfutureroadmapisfocusedonbothstrengtheningand innovating:
• Enhancingexistingprogrammestofurtherreduce treatmentabandonmentrates.
• Expandingawarenesscampaigns,acrossSouthAfrica, ensuringnoenvironmentisoverlooked,toeducate communitiesontheearlywarningsignsofchildhood cancer
• Innovatingsupportmodels,leveragingdigitaltools, expandingaccommodationandnutritional programmes,andstrengtheningpsychosocialservices.
• Buildingstrongercollaborationswithgovernment, hospitals,andNGOstounifyeffortsunderpaediatric oncologyunits.
• Empoweringsurvivorsandfamiliestosharetheir voices,guidingusincreatingmorerelevantand compassionateprogrammes.
Ourvisionforthefutureisclear:aSouthAfricawhereno childfacescanceralone,whereearlydetectionisthenorm, andwhereeveryfamilyreceivesthesupporttheyneedto staystrongandhopeful.
Digital Transformation Trends Powering South African Business Growth
Increasingcustomerexpectations,technicalinnovation,
andtheneedforoperationalresiliencearedrivingthe rapiddigitaltransformationinSouthAfrica’sbusiness landscape.Thisdevelopmentisbeingdrivenbytheneedfor operationalresilience.Tonotonlyendureinhighly competitivemarkets,butalsotoprosperinthosemarkets, firmsineveryindustryareembracingdigital transformation.Thisisnotonlytosurviveinthosemarkets, butalsotothriveinthosemarkets.Thefollowingisalistof thekeytrendsthatarefuellingtheexpansionofbusinesses allaroundthecountry
CloudAdoptionandHybridWorkModels
DuringSouthAfrica’sdigitaltransformation,cloud computinghasemergedasacrucialcomponentthatmustbe considered.Businessesaremovingbusinessprocessesthat areessentialtotheiroperationstothecloudtoimprove scalability,improvedatasecurity,andreducetheexpenses associatedwithinfrastructure.Intandemwiththistrend, hybridworkmodelshaveprogressivelybecomethe standardintheprofessionalworld. Allthesemodelsare supportedbycloud-basedcollaborationtechnologies,which
makeitfeasibleforteamstofunctioneffectivelyregardless ofwheretheyarelocated.
ArtificialIntelligenceandDataAnalytics
Artificialintelligence(AI)andadvancedanalyticsare helpingbusinessesinSouthAfricamaketheshiftfrom reactivedecision-makingtopredictiveandprescriptive strategies.Thistransformationisbeingmadepossibleby thecombinationofthesetwotechnologies. Retailers,for example,areemployingartificialintelligencetotailorthe shoppingexperiencefortheirconsumers,whilefinancial institutionsareutilisingmachinelearningtospotfraudulent behaviourandevaluatecreditrisk.Bothapplicationsare beingutilisedbyretailers. Inaddition,dataanalyticsis makingitpossibletoincreasetheoptimisationofsupply chainsandmarketingeffortsbymakingthemmore narrowlyfocused.
E-commerceExpansionandDigitalPayments
Duringthetimewhentheepidemicwasgoingon,South
Africa’se-commerceboomwasaccelerated,andthis momentumiscontinuingstrongtoday Theincorporationof user-friendlydesigns,optionsforfasterdelivery,andsecure digitalpaymentsystemsaresomeofthewaysinwhich businessesareattemptingtoimprovetheironlineplatforms. Itisnowmuchsimplerforcustomersinbothurbanand rurallocationstoparticipateineconomiesthatarebasedon digitaltechnologybecauseoftheproliferationofmobile moneyandcontactlesstransactions.
CybersecurityasaGrowthEnabler
Therisingadoptionofdigitaltechnologybybusinesseshas resultedinthetransformationofcybersecurityfroma defensivemeasureintoastrategicgrowthfacilitatorrather thanadefensivemeasure. Investinginsophisticatedthreat detection,encryption,andemployeetrainingissomething thatbusinessesaredoingtoprotecttheconfidenceoftheir consumersandensurethattheyareinlinewiththe regulatoryrequirementsthattheyhave. Thebanking industry,thehealthcareindustry,andthegovernment servicesindustryareallveryvitalsectorsthatshouldplace asignificantpriorityonsecurity.
Industry-SpecificDigitalInnovations
Intheminingindustry,theimplementationofautomation andsensorsmadeavailablebytheInternetofThingsis contributingtotheenhancementofoperativeefficiencyand theprotectionofworkers. Theapplicationofprecision farmingtechnologyisboostingcropyieldswhile simultaneouslyloweringthenumberofresourcesthatare consumedintheagriculturalindustry Aneffortisbeing madebytheenergybusinesstoincreasetheamountof renewableenergythatisproducedthroughtheadoptionof digitalmonitoringsystems. Thenumerousindustriesthat makeupSouthAfricaareobtainingacompetitive advantagebecauseofthedeploymentofthesepersonalised technologies.
ReasonsWhyItIsRelevant
DigitaltransformationinSouthAfricaisnotconfinedtothe mereuseoftechnology;rather,itinvolvesthereshapingof businessmodels,theenhancementofcustomerexperiences, andtheestablishmentofsustainabledevelopment.Inother words,itisnotjustaboutusingtechnology. Businesses thatembracethesetrendsarebetterpositionedtocompete bothlocallyandglobally Thisisbecausetechnologycanbe transformedintoanenginethatdrivesinnovation, resilience,andlong-termsuccess.
