Men swapped their usual footwear for high heels at Cedar Square in Fourways on October 10, proving that while walking in heels might test balance, talking about health should not.

The fourth official Men in Heels Walkathon attracted around 130 registrations, bringing together survivors, families and supporters to raise awareness of prostate cancer, male breast cancer and men’s mental well-being.

Hosted by Lerato Molete, founder of Men in Heels and managing director of Black Cherrie Management Holdings, the event used an unusual sight to get people talking about issues that too often go unspoken.

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Participants did not have to squeeze into heels to take part. Sneakers were also welcome, with the point being to get men talking about their health rather than auditioning for a fashion show.

Now, five years in the making, the initiative has grown into a platform for education, personal stories and conversations about early detection and seeking support. The programme was not entirely serious, either. Robot Boii got the crowd moving before participants took to the route around Cedar Square in their heels and sneakers.

“The heels get people looking, laughing and asking questions, but what matters is the conversation that follows. We want men to speak about their health, pay attention to changes in their bodies, seek support when they need it and understand that early detection can save lives,” said Molete.

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The event was supported by The Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa), with Cedar Square as the venue partner. Mentos sponsored product support, while Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank provided staycation prizes.

With the fourth official walkathon completed, Molete and her team are looking towards 2027, calling on brands, sponsors and media partners to help grow the initiative. The ambition is to make conversations about men’s health part of everyday life, rather than something reserved for an awareness event or until symptoms become impossible to ignore.

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