Fashion meets purpose: John Craig takes a stand on men’s mental health in the workplace
Iconic local fashion giants John Craig and Polo South Africa are leading the way in breaking the stigma
with a new Mind Matters video series advocating that it’s not silence but speaking out that displays
masculinity.
South African men are increasingly struggling with mental health issues – depression, anxiety and burnout
in the workplace according to a growing body of mental health research.
But entrenched stigma and traditional norms that men must always be strong providers and protectors
without showing emotion, deter many from seeking help, leading to mental breakdowns, physical illness,
and even suicide.
A new landmark research review published in the SA Journal of Psychology in June 2025 analysed
14 South African workplace mental health studies conducted between 2020 and 2024 and concluded
that men are experiencing "high levels of depression, anxiety, and burnout across occupations".
The findings suggested the widespread prevalence of mental health issues and the critical role of
businesses in influencing employee well-being, underscoring the urgent need for "contextualised,
workplace-specific mental health interventions”.
Groundbreaking campaign
Conscious of this alarming trend, premier men’s fashion retailer John Craig has partnered with Polo South
Africa to launch the second instalment of the Mind Matters video series, a campaign that spotlights mental
health challenges facing men and recommends interventions that business leaders, employees and
families can implement to promote healing and restore health.
John Craig is a South African men’s fashion retailer offering a curated range of smart-casual and formalwear
for the modern gentleman. Established in 1947, the brand is known for stocking premium labels like Polo,
Gant, Lyle & Scott alongside its own in-house collections. With stores across the country, John Craig blends
timeless style with contemporary trends, adding refined staples to men’s wardrobes.
John Craig Senior Brand Manager, Kaboomo Mgibi Marshoff, said the fashion retailer, which is known for
dressing men in premium fashion for over 75 years, recognises that the notion of a man always having to
present his best self at work or leisure runs far deeper than physical looks, stylish dressing and outward
appearances.
“Mental and emotional resilience is key to unlocking one’s true potential. With this initiative, John Craig and
Polo South Africa are shining a light on the mental health struggles men face worldwide, especially as issues
like depression, anxiety and suicide continue to rise among men,” Marshoff said.
“Our groundbreaking campaign challenges outdated stereotypes and cultural expectations around
masculinity. The goal is clear – open the door to honest conversations, provide support, and empower men
to prioritise their mental wellbeing in the workplace without shame. We want to shatter the stigma
surrounding men’s mental health by promoting open discussion and offering practical support to men who
are grappling with emotional and psychological challenges,” she said.
Shatter the silence in the workplace
For the Mind Matters series, now in its second season following the hugely successful campaign debut in
Mental Health Awareness Month in October 2024 – John Craig and Polo South Africa invited men who are
leaders in their fields to openly and frankly confront the outdated traditional expectations placed on men
and to break the silence surrounding mental health challenges.
Ontological coach and podcaster Kgaugelo Habyane leads the Mind Matters discussion with a high profile
panel that includes iconic South African footballer, Lucas Radebe, South African Federation for Mental
Health Director, Leon de Beer, and South African illustrator, graphic designer and content creator, David
Tshabalala, who share their personal journeys unpacking mental health through real stories, expert insight,
and a candour rarely seen in the media.
Men face higher suicide risk
De Beer, who has decades of experience in psychology, disability, HIV/AIDS, and community development
says the campaign message is especially urgent in light of sobering statistics – globally 75% of suicides are
men, many of whom never reached out for support.
“If a man is struggling with unmanaged depression, his job pressures are getting him down, he's falling to
substance abuse, his marriage is falling apart, he's at risk of thinking about suicide,” De Beer warns.
But de Beer notes that men have “terrible help-seeking behaviours”.
“Men don't like to show vulnerability, especially in the workplace. You want to be tough; you want to be seen
as able to cope.”
De Beer calls for workplaces and communities to create safe spaces where men can freely express
emotional struggles without fear of judgment.
Beating stress on the football field
Lucas Radebe, beloved soccer legend and former captain of Leeds United and Bafana Bafana, shares his
deeply personal account of juggling personal trauma and professional pressure.
“My wife was diagnosed with cancer when I was still playing. I still had to focus. I still had to go and train
every day and give 100%, which is challenging because you can't share with friends. There are no excuses,” Radebe said.
The pressure to “man up” continues to dominate male identity—particularly in high-performance
environments like sports and business.
As Lucas adds, “At the end of the day, you go home, and there's another kind of problem you're facing.”
"You need to find somebody that you can trust," Lucas advises. "Somebody who can help you move on."
Enduring the pressures of remote work
David Tshabalala, popularly known as “Slaying Goliath,” is a celebrated South African illustrator and graphic
designer who’s bold, pop-culture-infused works like Davetionary and Run The World offer sharp social
commentary. Tshabalala has earned recognition on platforms such as Mail & Guardian’s ‘200 Young South
Africans’ and served as a judge at the ADC98 Illustration Awards.
Tshabalala speaks about his work challenges, describing his work as an independent designer as potentially
lonely.
"My line of work can be very lonely, in a sense that I don't always have, in a traditional sense, colleagues, it's
just a lot of collaborators and partners at different points in time. So, my work does get very lonely. I don't
necessarily have anyone to reach out to,” Tshabalala said.
For Tshabalala maintaining a healthy work life balance is key to nurturing good mental health.
"I think for me, switching off helps a lot. Switching off the work, the amount of research I have to do, the
contact with clients,” Tshabalala said.
“I like to cycle. I have hobbies. I love playing games as well, because in my line of work, I deal with a lot of
personalities, with a lot of ego, a lot of clients who are demanding. So, I think sometimes it can take a strain
on my mental health. It's nice to switch off and just play games with my son.”
Across the Mind Matters series, each episode brings together emotional stories and practical tools—
delivered by experts—on topics ranging from managing workplace stress to developing emotional literacy.
Reach out for help in the workplace
Workplaces, in particular, are identified as critical arenas for intervention.
“The workplace can actually fortify mental health,” says De Beer. “Working gives you social connection,
reduces isolation, provides structure, gives you a sense of purpose. If your job gives you a sense of purpose,
that's good for your mental well-being.”
However, De Beer warns against corporate cultures that ignore emotional wellbeing.
“If you have a management style that is bureaucratic and dismissive towards vulnerability... mental health
is going to suffer.” His solution? Training leadership to practice “vulnerable management,” and
implementing confidential, accessible support structures like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
The campaign doesn’t only focus on workplaces. It calls on men everywhere to reassess what strength looks like.
Marshoff invited men everywhere to watch the full series on the @JohnCraig YouTube channel and to join
the conversation using #JohnCraigMindMatters.
“We encourage men across the country to share their own stories, dismantling stigma with every voice
raised. By bringing together style, substance, and social consciousness, John Craig and Polo South Africa
are ushering in a new era—one where being your best includes looking good, feeling strong, and most
importantly, knowing it’s okay to ask for help,” Mgibi Marshoff said.
“This is not just about awareness. It’s about rewriting the narrative of masculinity, where strength includes
softness, vulnerability signals courage, and emotional expression is a form of self-care—not weakness.”
For interview requests please contact Kaboomo on K.Mgibi@studio-88.co.za
About John Craig
Founded in 1947, John Craig has been a trusted destination for premium menswear for over 75 years.
Renowned for its heritage of quality craftsmanship and timeless style, John Craig offers a meticulously
curated range of international and local brands, making it the go-to retailer for the modern man. From
tailored suits and smart casual wear to premium footwear and accessories, John Craig delivers a
seamless retail experience that caters to every occasion and generation.