The Hollard Daredevil Run has raised R1.2 million for prostate and testicular cancer awareness, helping fund screening, education and patient support across South Africa.
The funds, raised through the 2025 Hollard Daredevil Run, have been donated to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), with every rand generated by participants going directly towards awareness campaigns, free Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screenings and support services for men and their families.
The cheque handover coincided with the official launch of the 2026 Hollard Daredevil Run campaign, which encourages South African men to once again don the event’s iconic purple speedos to raise awareness about men’s health.
Now in its 17th year, the campaign continues to use humour and public participation to tackle serious health issues that many men are reluctant to discuss.
“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.”
Behind the light-hearted event is a serious public health challenge.
Prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among South African men. One in eight men is expected to be diagnosed during their lifetime, while Black African men face a 60% higher risk than other population groups. Many cases are diagnosed late because of limited screening, stigma and low awareness.
Testicular cancer, although less common, is the leading cancer affecting young men between the ages of 15 and 49. Health experts say it is highly treatable when detected early through regular self-examinations.
Andrew Oberholzer, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa, said the annual donation has become the organisation’s largest single source of funding.
“The Hollard Daredevil donation is the largest single donation the PCF receives each year. The funds help distribute accurate multilingual educational material and keep free PSA screening programmes running nationwide,” he said.
The funding has also contributed to the development of South Africa’s first comprehensive prostate cancer registry, expected to launch in 2026. The registry will help monitor diagnosis rates, treatment outcomes and disease trends, while supporting future research and healthcare planning.
Lorraine Govender, National Manager of Health Programmes at CANSA, said the campaign has evolved beyond fundraising into a national awareness movement.
“The Hollard Daredevil Run has become far more than a fundraising event – it’s helped build a national movement that encourages men to speak openly about their health and seek help sooner.”
The 2026 Hollard Daredevil Run will take place on Friday, 23 October, at Zoo Lake in Johannesburg, while participants across the country will also be able to run in their own communities, workplaces, schools and universities.
Registrations open on 1 July through Ticketpro at R200, with every participant receiving a complimentary purple speedo as they join one of South Africa’s most recognisable men’s health awareness campaigns.
