JOHANNESBURG – The Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) and Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) received a hefty cash injection from Hollard, thanks to the purple speedo-clad heroes who bared everything in the streets of the 2025 Daredevil Run.

A cheque for R1,2 million was handed over to Cansa and PCF representatives at an event at Hollard Campus in Parktown, Johannesburg on Thursday 25 June, which also saw the official launch of the 2026 campaign that calls South African men to lace up, strip down and do it all again.

Seventeen years after its establishment the Hollard Daredevil Run shows no signs of putting its trousers back on. This year’s tagline was “Lekker Balls; Lekker Life”.

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Targeted donation

The funds raised in the 2025 Hollard Daredevil Run was formally handed over to Cansa and the PCF to fund awareness campaigns, Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening and patient support.

“The Hollard Daredevil Run is an unforgettable experience that raises awareness in a fun, engaging manner and sparks dialogue about men’s health in a non-threatening way,” said Hazel Chimhandamba, group chief marketing officer at Hollard.

“In 2024, we raised R1 million, 100% of which went directly to supporting prostate and testicular cancer awareness programmes. We are incredibly grateful to every ‘daredevil’ who dared to run in a purple speedo. It takes a special kind of bravery to turn heads for something that truly matters. Because behind all the laughs is a very serious mission: getting more men to check in on their health and each other.”

Telling statistics

Prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in South African men. One in eight men is expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with black African men facing a 60% higher risk than other population groups.

South Africa’s mortality rate due to prostate cancer is particularly high, largely as a result of underscreening, socio-cultural stigmas and lack of health education.

Testicular cancer, while less widespread, is most common in young men aged 15 to 49, affecting about one in every 250 men. When caught early, it is highly treatable.

A two-minute self-examination can detect lumps, swelling or changes early, that’s considerably less time than it takes to run 5 km in a purple speedo and the pay-off is just as big.

Awareness in focus

A simple PSA blood test for men over 40 can detect elevated protein levels before a single symptom appears.

“The Hollard Daredevil donation is the largest single donation the PCF receives each year,” said Andrew Oberholzer, CEO of the PCF of South Africa. “The funds help PCF distribute accurate, multilingual educational material and keep free PSA screening programmes running nationwide.”

The run has also contributed to the development of South Africa’s first comprehensive Prostate Cancer Registry, launched in 2026, which tracks incidence, treatment and outcomes, Oberholzer added.

The campaign further funds PCF’s helpline and support networks for men and families navigating a diagnosis.

Lorraine Govender, national manager of health programmes at Cansa, added: “The Hollard Daredevil Run has become far more than a fundraising event; it has helped build a national movement that encourages men to speak openly about their health and seek help sooner. We are incredibly grateful to Hollard and every participant whose courage and commitment enable Cansa to continue providing awareness, early detection, screening and support services to men across South Africa.”

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Strip down

The event returns to Zoo Lake in Johannesburg on Friday 23 October at 15:00, with participants elsewhere able to register and run in their own neighbourhoods, workplaces, schools or universities anywhere in the country.

Registrations for the 2026 Hollard Daredevil Run open on Wednesday 1 July and tickets will be available from Ticketpro at R200 each, which includes the courier of a registration pack and a complimentary purple speedo.

For more information, go to www.hollard.co.za.