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Our Story
Transform. Defy. Embrace. Welcome to 4M
We are the antidote to the rat race that many men find themselves in. A movement that hungers for transformation and justice. We undertake unusual journeys - journeys that involve the body, mind, and soul. We are fighting a battle best fought in weakness and vulnerability - towards our destiny. welcome to 4M
2008
The 4th Musketeer was founded in the Netherlands, the first Character Weekend was developed, and a group of 80 men converged in the Ardenees, located in Southern Belgium.
The 4th Musketeer started in the Netherlands in 2008 and was the idea of… a woman. On an evening in September 2007, Ruth Stoorvogel told her husband, Henk, “Why don’t you start something with men? Not an ordinary men’s thing but an extra ordinary one.” Henk responded, “You’re right, we will do it! And we will call it the 4th Musketeer.” Henk invited his best friends in the Netherlands, Pieter, Theo, and Jan for a visionary dinner at his home and a new concept was developed, inspired by D’Artagnan, the protagonist of the Three Musketeers. An ultimate adventure where men will experience a great physical challenge, mental exhaustion and inspiration was born.
2015
South Africa 4M was started, with 107 men attending the first XCC in the incredible, raw and epic landscape of the Drakensberg Mountains in April 2015.
4MZA is a Social Enterprise with the aim of inspiring every heart and create waves of Justice in our beautiful Country, Every year we organise many weekends, trips and events in which men and women are introduced to what it means to achieve Justice and are challenged to live meaningful lives. 4MZA is led by our CEO: Jannie Van Niekerk.
2016
4MZA activates epic locations in Drakensberg, Cederberg, Addo Elephant Park and the Wild Coast, with hunderds of men attending Life Changing journeys every year.
4M strives to get Ordinary people to do Extraordinary things, 4M has a principle that the location of all events has to be EPIC, South Africa landscapes amplify this 4M Principle. All Locations are scouted and marked multiple times.
2017
Arise is born in South Africa - With hundreds of Women attending Life Challnges across Rustenberg, Ezemvelo, and Franschoek.
The first Arise Life Challenge women's event takes place. To date over 1000 ladies have participated in Life Challenges in South Africa.
2019
South Africa raises funds for Justice - Over R5m through the first ever South African Muskathlon.
Muskahtlon in partnership with A21 (Fight against Human Trafficking) and POPUP (Fight against poverty) raises over R1m, the funds were used to setup a 24.7 hotline for human trafficking reports with a dedicated response unit. This hotline (0800222777) is still in operation today and has saved over 100 lives from Human Trafficking.
2021
Covid strikes and no one is allowed outside, 4M adapts and embraces online interaction to keep men active and inspired.
Hosting a Character Challenge online is not an easy task, but through preparation, embracing technology and relying on the heart of Adventure in every man, we did it.
2022
A New Normal emerges, 4MZA switches on all core products and more. Extreme Character Challenges, Leadership Challenges, Arise Life Challenges, Father & Son, Father & Daughter, Couples weekends and Muskathlon.
All our Events and offerings can be found on our Events page, 4MZA continues to innovate and stay curious to inspire hearts and create waves of Justice.
2023
Special thanks to hundreds of Volunteers, 4MZA has successfully taken over 15,000 Men and Women through life changing events throughout South Africas raw and dazzling scenery.
4MZA is a Volunteer Based organisation - Hundreds of Volunteers have given time and resources to help 4MZA enable their vision.
