This month it’s all about flashing your stache. Movember is back in full swing, and South African men are rocking their mos like there’s no tomorrow. Find out how Movember started and what that hairy patch under your nose actually symbolises during this month.
It’s been a week, and already we see fuzzy upper-lip strips left and right. Movember has arrived, and guys are rocking their mos like it’s Haute Couture. Strutting a stache in November has arguably become somewhat of a trend, but the moustache sensation actually aims to raise awareness for an important cause. For those of you who aren’t entirely sure what Movember is all about, or for those who want to be more knowledgeable about the movement – here’s a short & sweet breakdown.
What is Movember?
Before Movember (“Moustache November”) became a global phenomenon over a decade ago, it was a simple idea that was birthed in Melbourne, Australia, during a conversation between two friends over a causal beer, as it were. According to the Movember Foundation, the initial idea was to try and bring back the moustache, since this facial hairstyle had lost its fashionable appeal. This challenge, however, soon grew into something much bigger, and much more meaningful.
The idea was now to encourage men to grow their moustache in order to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). What resulted was the establishment of the Movember Foundation, which has since spread its movement across many other countries and has grown to symbolise support for men’s health issues. Over the past few years, the foundation has repeatedly been ranked as one of the top NGOs in the world.
In South Africa, the Movember Foundation is booming, and every year, thousands of men grow their mos in support of men’s health, including prostate and testicular cancer, physical inactivity, and mental health issues.
How can you show your support?
The foundation’s financial reveal that over R5.7 billion have been raised over the past 11 year, in the support for men’s health. Epic.
So how can you contribute to the cause? It’s very easy.
- Grow the mo (ladies, you are welcome to skip this step if you wish)
Not sure how to do actually do it, as in, groom the thing? Check out this video from the Movember Foundation website.
- Spread the awareness
- Sign up with the Movember Foundation. Click here to go the sign-up page.
- Donate. Click here to see how.
If you want to find out more about the details of where your money will go (how much goes to the actual programmes, how much to admin costs, etc.), then you can read through the global annual report.
For more information on the history of the foundation, events, and ways to get involved, you can visit the website or follow Movember on social media platforms.
FundiConnect’s Mos
The guys at FundiConnect have joined the growth spurt and are in a fierce competition of who can grow the sexiest moustache. Here’s what they have to say about the cause… Movember, that is.
“Movember – the one time I can grow a stache and get away with it. The moustache is king! Kidding. It’s to show my support in the movement towards fund raising and awareness of male prostate and testicular cancer. And finally, I moustache you a question, but I’ll shave it for later.”
– Wesley Roos, Key Account Manager
“I am participating in Movember because it is the one and only month in the year where men are free from the clutches of woman to grow whatever facial hair they ever so wish.” (#maninism #movember #sorrynotsorry)
– James Kieser, CTO
“Every November, a band of perfectly ordinary gentlemen take on the brave task of Movember: growing a moustache for charity in a bid to raise awareness about men’s health – prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health issues. Like breast cancer, it’s a global movement.”
– David-James Esterhuizen, Key Account Manager
