Tzaneen men take bold stand against cancer in Daredevil Run
Dressed in purple speedos, participants completed the 5km Hollard Daredevil Run at Nkowankowa Stadium to encourage early screening for prostate and testicular cancer.
LIMPOPO – Tzaneen men joined thousands of South Africans in the 2026 Hollard Daredevil Run at Nkowankowa Stadium on Friday, October 23.
Dressed in their signature purple speedos, participants took on the 5km run to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer and highlight the importance of early detection. This year’s event carried the bold tagline, “Lekker Balls. Lekker Life”, reinforcing the potentially life-saving message of regular screening and early diagnosis.
One of the local participants, Strauss Phaleni, said he took part to encourage men, particularly in black communities, to overcome their reluctance to seek medical help and undergo cancer screenings.
“Men in the black community are often reluctant to visit doctors for screenings. By participating in this initiative, I want to encourage other men to find the courage to get screened. It could save their lives,” he told the Herald.
“Through this initiative, I have learnt the importance of courage and supporting those affected by the disease,” he added.
Why early detection matters
The Daredevil Run has expanded beyond its Gauteng origins to include provinces such as Mpumalanga, the Free State and the Northern Cape, with participation growing across the country.
According to the initiative’s website, one in four black African men and one in eight white men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
Prostate cancer is also predicted to become the most common cancer among men in South Africa by 2030. African men face a 2.5 times higher risk of developing the disease than other population groups and are also 2.5 times more likely to die from it.
Testicular cancer, meanwhile, is the most prevalent cancer among men aged 15 to 49. Over the past 17 years, the Hollard Daredevil Run has raised millions of rands for Cansa and the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF).
The funds support cancer awareness and education, screening programmes, and life-saving services for men nationwide.
Supporting the cause
The initiative raised R1m in 2024 and R1.2m in 2025. Although this year’s run has come to an end, members of the public can still support the cause by making donations through the Hollard Daredevil Run’s BackaBuddy fundraising page.
