Hedley Lewis | CEO | CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa
Hedley Lewis is recognised as a leader who brings purpose and performance together in a meaningful way. As the CEO of CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa, he has shaped an organisation that does more than serve a community. Under his guidance, it has remained a symbol of how compassion and strategy can work hand in hand. In a time when leaders are judged not just by profit but by their contribution to society, he stands out as someone who understands both the responsibility and the opportunity of leadership, honouring and building on CHOC’s 46-year legacy of care and impact and fostering the spirit of teamwork that will enable CHOC to continue its vital support for many years to come. At EliteX, we are proud to have Hedley Lewis as part of the edition: Impactful Business Icons to Look Out in 2025.
During his time at CHOC, Hedley has strengthened the organisation’s reach across the country. He leads with a clear belief that accountability, transparency, and innovation must guide every step. This approach has helped CHOC operate with the efficiency of a well-run business while keeping the heart and warmth that families need during the hardest moments of their lives. Everything he does reflects CHOC’s belief that hope can change outcomes and that every child or teenager facing cancer or a life-threatening blood disorder deserves support, comfort, and care.
He trusts that when communities work together, every child has a better chance at healing and a brighter future.
CHOC’s services are essential for many families across South Africa. Through its CHOC houses and lodges, the organisation offers safe, free accommodation for children and teenagers receiving treatment, along with their parents or caregivers. These homes are more than temporary shelters. They provide nutritious meals, emotional support, transport to hospitals, and a peaceful environment that helps in recovery. For many families who travel long distances for treatment, CHOC becomes their second home, offering stability in a time of uncertainty.
The organisation’s Psychosocial Support Programme is another vital part of its mission. Through social workers and social auxiliary workers, CHOC walks closely with families from the moment of diagnosis through treatment and beyond. These professionals offer emotional support, counselling, and practical guidance at a time when parents and children are overwhelmed and anxious. Their presence ensures that no family feels alone while navigating the difficult reality of childhood cancer.
Hedley also understands that healing must support every part of a child’s life. Under his leadership, CHOC’s team partnered with The Core Group and iSchoolAfrica to bring iPads into hospital classrooms, ensuring children in treatment can continue learning and staying connected with education despite long hospital stays. This programme reduces learning gaps, supports teachers, and gives children a creative outlet during treatment. For many young patients, it becomes a source of motivation and emotional strength.
Awareness and early detection are also central to CHOC’s impact. The organisation’s campaigns educate healthcare workers and communities about the SILUAN Early Warning Signs of Childhood Cancer. This work helps save lives by ensuring that these signs are recognised sooner and children get treatment timeously. CHOC also augments the medical fraternity to strengthen paediatric oncology and haematology units, ensuring that children can access specialised and dignified care no matter where they live.
He often says that every act of support creates a ripple of hope that reaches far beyond the organisation.
Hedley’s leadership is shaped by his strong business background, including his corporate experience at Vodacom. He introduced a style of leadership that combines business agility with compassion. He has built partnerships with government, healthcare sectors, and corporate South Africa that help expand and enhance CHOC’s mission. Instead of viewing social investment as charity, he positions it as a strategic effort that benefits communities while meeting business goals. This approach has made CHOC a trusted partner for organisations that want to create genuine and measurable social impact.
One of Hedley’s strongest beliefs is that healing a child requires a whole community working together. With this in mind, he has created strong networks that connect NGOs, medical experts, donors, and other supporters into a unified ecosystem of care. In the year ahead, CHOC plans to continue to expand its awareness and education programmes, focusing especially on improving early detection, extending psychosocial support, and supporting more families facing long treatment journeys. These steps represent not just organisational goals but the positive influence of a leader who sees every initiative as a way to bring more hope to more families.
As South Africa continues to evolve with new ideas of leadership and impact, Hedley’s work shows how compassion can guide strategy and how purpose can strengthen performance. Under his leadership, CHOC remains a leading voice in childhood cancer support, advocacy, and care. His contribution continues to shape a future where more children, teenagers and their families have access to the support they need, creating a legacy of hope and resilience that will last for many years to come.
Hedley believes that true leadership comes from uplifting people during their most difficult moments.
