In a bid to bolster men’s health awareness and address critical gaps in cancer care, the Men’s Foundation SA launched its annual Brovember campaign on 1 November.
The initiative, now a hallmark of the Foundation’s efforts, is in collaboration with Build it, a prominent community-focused building material supplier across Southern Africa. This year’s campaign invites South African men to either grow a moustache, take on a physical challenge, or donate in support of programmes that promote early detection and provide support for prostate and testicular cancer treatments.
“With the launch of Brovember, the Men’s Foundation aims to challenge the societal stigma around toxic masculinity, and how it affects men’s health.”
Garron Gsell, CEO of the Men’s Foundation SA
“By encouraging a more proactive approach to self-care among men in South Africa, the foundation aims to create safe spaces, and opportunities, for men to open up and ask for help,” said Garron Gsell, CEO of the Men’s Foundation SA. Gsell hopes the campaign will inspire men to take an active role in their health, shifting the often-silent narrative around men’s wellness issues in South Africa.
Championing cancer care
Cancer care accessibility remains a pressing challenge in South Africa, with long waiting lists and limited resources plaguing healthcare facilities across the country. Through Brovember, the Men’s Foundation seeks to bridge these gaps, providing resources to those in need while raising awareness.
The campaign highlights the need for community involvement and hopes to inspire public support to make a difference in the lives of men struggling with cancer. By visiting www.brovember.co.za, individuals can learn more about the campaign and join the cause by signing up, donating, or sharing valuable information about men’s health.
The campaign also benefits from the support of Build it, whose extensive network of 400 stores across Southern Africa has allowed it to remain an essential part of local communities for almost four decades. Chris Quayle, Build it’s National Marketing Executive, expressed pride in the partnership with Brovember, emphasising how the campaign aligns with the company’s core values.
“Build it’s partnership represents a significant commitment to this mission. With 400 stores across Southern Africa, Build it has proudly served communities for almost 40 years, driven by its core values of family, entrepreneurship, and passion. With our values at the heart of everything we do, we believe in giving back to the communities that support us, and the Brovember campaign is an initiative we are proud to support for the men of Southern Africa,” he stated.
Call to action
A key component of Brovember 2024 is its call to action, encouraging South African men to participate in the “MOVE for Mental Health” challenge, a tribute to the mental health struggles that often go unnoticed among men.
As Gsell explains, “By signing up, men will gain access to vital information surrounding men’s health issues. Communities are encouraged to participate in the campaign by either growing a moustache for 30 days or taking on the ‘MOVE for Mental Health’ challenge, whereby you commit to a challenge with the number 80, for every 1 man that dies due to suicide every 80 minutes.
You can walk, cycle or run 80km for the month of Brovember, and deadlift 80kg – this is also linked to the research out of South Australia University that proved exercise to be 1.5 times more effective than anti-depressants in treating mental health.”
The Brovember campaign aims to shine a light on the physical and mental health challenges that men face, particularly in underserved communities.
As a member of the South African Cancer Alliance, the Men’s Foundation SA has joined other health advocates in urging government agencies, like the Gauteng Department of Health, to address long-standing deficiencies in cancer treatment availability. This year’s campaign serves as a reminder of the collective effort required to combat a disease that disproportionately affects men and their families.
For more information about the Brovember campaign and ways to get involved, individuals can visit brovember.co.za to register, participate in the movement, or contribute financially. All funds raised will remain in South Africa, going directly into initiatives that support both the mental and physical health of South African men, ensuring they receive the essential care and support they deserve.
Brovember 2024 is a powerful call for community solidarity and compassion, emphasizing that men’s health deserves attention, action, and sustained commitment from all.
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