rtuneLeader
Africa's Mining Future with Integrity, Innovation, and Impact
Editors Insights
Welcome to The Fortune Leader’s November
Special Edi on “Africa’s Most Transforma onal Leaders in Mining 2025.”
In this edi on, we are proud to feature Oscar van Antwerpen, Director of MINROM, on the cover — a visionary leader reshaping Africa’s mining landscape through innova on, integrity, and human impact.
In an industry o en defined by machinery and metrics, Oscar brings a rare blend of empathy and excellence. His leadership philosophy goes beyond extrac on; it is about empowerment of people, communi es, and the planet. With a deep-rooted belief that ethical leadership drives sustainable development, he has become a driving force behind Africa’s evolving mining narra ve.
Through his pioneering use of geometallurgy, Oscar has revolu onized how resources are explored, extracted, and op mized, transforming once marginal deposits into profitable and sustainable opera ons. Yet, for him, success is not measured only in produc on but in purpose — in building opportuni es, nurturing local talent, and ensuring that communi es thrive alongside mines.
From championing in-country beneficia on and environmental rehabilita on to leveraging AI-driven geological modeling, Oscar exemplifies how technology and humanity can coexist for progress. His vision is clear: an Africa that leads the world in sustainable mining, defined not by exploita on but by innova on and inclusion.
Beyond business, his non-profit ini a ve Be The Good Founda on reflects his heart-led leadership, suppor ng early childhood development and poverty relief across communi es.
Oscar van Antwerpen’s journey is a testament to what happens when leadership is guided by conscience, courage, and compassion, proving that the future of mining is not just beneath the surface but within the spirit of those who lead it.
Editor-in-Chief The Fortune Leader
EDITORIAL TEAM
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
Art and Design Director
Paul Brown
Research Analyst
Robert Smith
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OSCAR VAN ANTWERPEN
Cover Story
Intheworldofminingandnaturalresources,where geologymeetsengineeringandstrategyintertwines withsustainability,OscarvanAntwerpenhasbeen functioningandinterweavingthesedisciplinestocarvea distinctivepath.Hisjourneyisnotmerelyaboutextracting valuefromtheEarth,butaboutunlockingpotentialof peopleandprocesses,andtheplanetitself.Fromhisearly fascinationwithgeologicalformationstohisleadershipin reshapingAfrica'sminingnarrative,vanAntwerpen'scareer reflectsablendofscientificcuriosity,ethicalconviction, andvisionaryleadership.
ACuriosityBornfromtheEarth
ForOscar,thefascinationwiththenaturalworldbeganlong beforeheenteredtheminingindustry.Asachild,hewas fascinatedbythepatternsofrocksexposedinroadcuttings, thelayersofmountainformations,andthestoriestoldby fossils.Initiallydrawntobotanyandzoology,hisacademic curiositytookanewdirectionwhenhestumbleduponthe geologydepartment'smineralcollection.Thatmoment,as hedescribesit,wastransformative:“Itcompletelyshifted myperspective.”
ThemineralcollectionportrayedthebeautyofEarth's processes,thechemicalprecision,thegeologicalmystery, andthetangiblelinkbetweenscienceandtherealworld. Geologybecameatooltounderstandingnotjusthowthe Earthworked,buthowhumanscouldinteractwithit responsibly Thatfascinationdevelopedintoalifelong interestsandstudycombiningnaturalsciencewiththe practicalapplicationsofengineering.Mining,forhim, becametheultimatefieldwherethoseworldsmet.
Standing3,000metresbelowtheEarth'ssurfaceforthefirst time,surroundedbytheproductofmillionsofyearsof geologicaltransformation—anorebody—vanAntwerpen recallsbeingfilledbyamazement.“Itwasashowpiece of engineering,”hesays.“Mininggavemetheopportunityto solvecomplexchallengesacrossdifferentdisciplines,every projectanewproblemtounderstand,everyorebodyanew setofrulestounderstand.”
ALeadershipVisionRootedinEmpathyandExcellence
VanAntwerpen'sleadershipphilosophyisgroundedina simplebelief:peoplethrivewhentheyfeelvalued, acknowledged,andempowered,andparticipatingina projectandorcompanywithdirection. “Greatleadership,” hesays,“startswithrecognisingthevalueofdiverse talent—intellectual,emotional,andcreative.”
Oscarleadswithempathy,creatingenvironmentswherehis teamsfeelsupportedtogrow,contributemeaningfully,and pursuetheirpersonalgoals.Hisapproachisfarfrom traditional;itcombinestechnicalexcellencewithemotional intelligence.Underhisguidance,teamsareencouragednot onlytomeetoperationaltargetsdeliveringprojectssafely, sustainably,ontime,andwithinbudgetbutalsotoinnovate, challengeconventions,andthinkdifferently
VanAntwerpen'smissionisclear:toleadbyexample,build sharedpurpose,anddeliversustainableimpact.Itisastyle ofleadershipthathasinspiredloyalty,drivingperformance acrosstheminingsector
NavigatingChallengeswithIntegrity
TheminingsectorinAfrica,despiteitsvastpotential,faces numerouschallengesfromcorruption,starvation,famine, wartomineraltenementproblems,logisticalconstrains, skillshortagesandelectricityshortages.ForvanAntwerpen corruptionstandsasoneofthegreatestbarrierstoprogress. “Corruptiondoesn'tjustslowthingsdown,”henotes.“It underminesdevelopment,divertsfunds,anddamages trust.”Italsounderminesinvestorinterest.
Encouragingly,Antwerpenseespositivechange.“In countrieswherecorruptionisbeingtackledhead-on, progressistangible.Ethicalleadershipisnotoptional. Itis thekeytotransformingresourcewealthintosustainable development.”Hisconvictionthatintegrityisthe foundationforlong-termgrowthhasbecomeacornerstone ofhisleadershiplegacy.
RedefiningMiningthroughGeometallurgy
AmongvanAntwerpen'smosttransformativeachievements ishisapplicationofgeometallurgy,anapproachthat integratesgeologicalandmetallurgicalinsightstooptimise miningoperations.Traditionallyseenasatechnical specialty,geometallurgyhasbecomeacentraltoolindayto-dayoperations,revolutionisingresourceextractionand recovery
Theresultshaveshownthatprojectsoncedeemednonviablearenowprofitable,resourcespreviouslyoutofreach arebeingsuccessfullymined,andefficiencyhasimproved acrossmultiplesites.Theuseofthistechniquehashelped manymarginalisedoredepositstobeminedprofitably
SustainabilityattheCore
VanAntwerpen'sapproachtomineplanningandresource optimisationis intertwinedwithsustainabilityand communityempowerment.“Sustainabilityisn'tanadd-on. It'sbuiltintohowweoperatefromdayone,”he emphasises.Hisfocusextendsbeyondcompliancetoreal, lastingimpact.
Oscar,alsochampionsgeometricalmodelling,integrating geologicalandmetallurgicaldatatorefinemineplansand optimizeproduction.Theresult?Lowercapitalcosts,higher projectvalue,andimprovedIRRandNPV.“Innovationisn't aboutreplacingpeople,”heexplains,“it'sabout empoweringthemtoworksmarter,safer,andmore effectively.”
Oscarstronglyadvocatesforin-countrybeneficiation, ensuringthatrawmaterialsareprocessedlocallyto stimulatejobcreationandstrengthenlocaleconomies.“It's aboutkeepingvaluewhereit'sneededmost,”hesays. Environmentalrehabilitationisanotherpriority.Fromland restorationtopreventingacidminedrainage,histeams workdiligentlytoensuretheseconsiderationsareintegrated totheplanningprocess.
Onthehumanside,vanAntwerpen'sphilosophyisclear: communitiesmustgrowalongsidethemines.His
organisationsinvestinstructuredtraining,career development,andtheintegrationoflocaltalentintocore operations.“Wewanttobuildsomethingthatlasts,”he adds.“That'sthetruespiritofsustainabledevelopment.”
HarnessingInnovationandTechnology
Technology,forvanAntwerpen,ismorethanatool:it'sa mindset.Hiscompanyhasbeendevelopingin-housetools toleverageAIanddeeplearningingeologicalexploration andmodelling,enhancingtheprocessoftargetselection. Thesesystemshavedramaticallyimprovedthedetectionof geologicalanomaliesasthedatasetscurrentlybeing generatedarefastandcomplex.
EmpoweringLocalTalentandBuildingCapacity
CentraltovanAntwerpen'sleadershipisadeep commitmenttolocalempowerment.Heprioritiseshiring andtraininglocalgeologistsandengineers,fosteringskills transferandcapacitybuildingacrossthecontinent.“We investineducationandtrainingbecausethat'swhatmakes developmentsustainable,”hesays.
Throughpartnershipswithuniversitiesandgraduate programs,histeamsarenurturingthenextgenerationof miningprofessionals.Itisalong-termstrategydesignednot onlytogrowtalentbutalsotoanchorexpertisewithin Africa.“We'rebuildingthefutureworkforceofthe industry,”henotes.
Africa'sPlaceintheGlobalMiningEconomy
Africa,vanAntwerpenbelieves,standsonthebrinkofa majortransformation.Withvastreservesofcritical minerals—fromcopperandironoretorareearths—the continenthasalltheingredientsforathrivingmining economy.But,ashepointsout,“havingresourcesisn't enough.”
Oscar'sfocushasbeenonpromotinginternalprocessing, strategicplanning,andtransparencytoensurethatAfrica capturesmoreofthevaluechain.Healsoplacesstrong emphasisoneducation,empoweringleadersanddecisionmakerstounderstandthetransformativepowerof
geometallurgy—andtoensureresourcerentisputtoproperuse.
“It'samindsetshift,”hesays.“Africaisnotjustasourceofraw materials.Itisaglobalplayerwiththeexpertise,technology,and leadershiptoshapeitsowndestiny,andshouldbedevelopedas such.”
LookingAhead:ASmarter,MoreSustainableFuture
Intheshortterm,vanAntwerpen'sgoalsarefocusedonexpanding theimplementationofgeometallurgyandimprovingresource extractability.Inthelongrun,heenvisionsanAfricanmining industrythatisself-sufficient,technologicallyadvanced,and globallycompetitive.
Thatvisionincludesstrongerlocalbeneficiation,deeper environmentalstewardship,andgenuinecommunityengagement. “Success,”hesays,“isn'tjustmeasuredintonnesminedorprofits made.It'smeasuredinthevaluewecreateforpeople,forthe environment,andforthefuture.”
ALegacyofEmpathy,Integrity,andEmpowerment
Askedwhatadvicehewouldgivetoaspiringleaders,van Antwerpendoesnothesitate.“Leadershipstartswithempathy, integrity,andpurpose.Education,transparency,andstrategymust sitatthecentreofeverythingwedo.”
Oscarurgesyoungleaderstotacklecorruption,toinnovate fearlessly,andtobuildorganisationsthatupliftratherthanexploit. “Realchangedoesn'thappenbyaccident;ithappenswhenleaders actwithintegrityandvision.”
Amonghisproudestinitiativesisthe“BeTheGood”foundation, hisnon-profitdedicatedtosupportingvulnerablecommunities throughearlychildhooddevelopmentandpovertyreliefprograms. Itreflectsthesameprinciplesthatguidehisprofessionallife: empathy,education,andempowerment.
AndperhapsthatistheessenceofOscarvanAntwerpen'sstory:a leaderwholooksbeneaththesurfacenotjusttoextractvalue,butto uncovermeaning;whoseesminingnotasanend,butasaplatform forprogress.Hislegacyisnotonlyintheresourcesunearthedfrom theground,butintheopportunitiesandhopehehelpscultivate aboveit.
Theminingindustry,whichusedtobeallabout
heavymachineryandhardmanualwork,isnow undergoingamajortransformationthanksto artificialintelligence(AI).Withtheglobalappetitefor mineralsandmetalsontherise,miningcompaniesare increasinglyturningtoAItoboostefficiency,enhance safety,andpromotesustainabilityateverystageoftheir operations.Fromtheinitialexplorationtoextractionand processing,AIischangingthewaywediscover,develop, anddeliverthesevitalresources.
OneofthemostimpactfulwaysAIistransformingthe miningindustryisthroughexplorationandresource discovery Traditionally,explorationhasbeenalengthy andexpensiveprocess,oftenrequiringextensivesurveys anddrilling.However,withthehelpofAI-drivendata analytics,companiescannowsiftthroughmassive geologicaldatasetstospotpotentialmineraldeposits withmuchgreaterprecision.Machinelearning algorithmscananalyzesatelliteimages,seismicdata, andgeochemicaltrendstoidentifythearea’smostlikely toyieldsuccess,ultimatelycuttingdownonexploration costsandminimizingenvironmentalimpact.
Onceoperationskickoff,AItakescenterstageinfinetuningextractionandproductionprocesses.Withsmart sensorsandautonomousequipmentdrivenbyAI, machineryperformanceandsiteconditionsare monitoredinrealtime.Theseadvancedsystemscan foreseeequipmentfailuresbeforetheyoccur,helpingto cutdownondowntimeandmaintenanceexpenses.We areseeingmoreautonomoushaultrucksanddrillingrigs
inaction,workingwithimpressiveprecision,and reducingtheneedforhumanstobeinriskyareas.
AIisrevolutionizingsafetymanagement,whichisatop concernintheminingindustry.Withthehelpof intelligentmonitoringsystemsthatleveragecomputer visionandpredictiveanalytics,potentialsafetyhazards canbeidentifiedrangingfromstructuralweaknessesto unsafebehaviorsamongworkers.Theseearly-warning systemsempowercompaniestoactquickly,helpingto preventaccidentsandprioritizethewell-beingoftheir employees.
Intheworldofprocessingandrefining,AIisagame changerforboostingefficiencyandsustainability.Itdoes thisbyfine-tuningenergyconsumption,managingwaste, andstreamliningchemicalprocesses.Withthehelpof machinelearningmodels,companiescananalyzeore gradesandautomaticallytweakprocessingparameters, whichnotonlyenhancesyieldbutalsominimizes environmentalimpact.Plus,AI-poweredsystemsfor managingwaterandenergyareessentialforhelping businessesachievetheirsustainabilitytargetsandstayin linewithenvironmentalregulations.
AIisnotjustaboutmakingthingsrunsmoothly;italso playsacrucialroleinhelpingleadersmakesmart decisionsbytransformingdataintopracticalinsights.By pullingtogetherinformationfromeverypartofthevalue chain,executivescanconfidentlytackledecisionsrelated toproductionplanning,logistics,andmarketforecasting.
Whiletherearestillhurdlestoovercome,likethehefty costsofimplementationandthechallengesofdata integration,thepotentialofAIinminingistruly remarkable.Thefutureoftheminingindustrywillbe shapednotjustbyautomation,butbysmarttechnology thatlearns,adapts,andcollaborateswithhumansto createasafer,moreintelligent,andsustainable environment.
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.
