John Craig and Polo South Africa challenges Societal expectations and traditional masculinity norms by creating awareness on men’s mental health.
John Craig, a men’s fashion retailer that offers top fashion brands such as Polo – believes
that being a man at your best goes beyond physical appearance and strength, with mental
and emotional resilience being one of the leading deciding factors in determining who you
can be.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, John Craig and Polo South Africa is proud to step up
and address an issue that often goes unspoken and is often-overlooked — the mental health
of men. With alarming rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide affecting men globally, it’s
time to break the stigma, open conversations, and provide the support men need to thrive.
(from left to right: Kgaugelo Habyane, Lucas Radebe, Leon de Beer and Tshegofatso Sephula)
“The World Health Organisation clearly says that, to be healthy, you have to have physical,
mental and social health. When we talk about mental health, we are talking about one’s
mental wellbeing and their ability to form meaningful relationships, fulfil their potential in life,
to deal with life stresses effectively, and to make a positive contribution towards society.”
Says Leon de Beer.
Men often struggle with emotional and psychological issues but are less likely to seek help
due to social pressures and long-held stigmas. By raising awareness, we challenge these
stigmas and encourage men to openly discuss and manage their mental health. Highlighting
men’s mental health can lead to better understanding and acceptance, reducing the barriers
to accessing support. John Craig and Polo South Africa are partnering with four influential
male figures: Lucas Radebe, Kgaugelo Habyane, Tshegofatso Sephula and Leon de Beer to
release a five-part series called Mind Matters which will delve into various aspects of men’s
mental health, with each episode featuring a different expert with insights and personal
experiences and actionable advice.
Our Panel:
Leon de Beer has been the Deputy Director of the SA Federation for Mental Health’s
National Office since 2012, after spending most of the preceding 10 years working in various
other community development settings, both in South Africa and in the UK.
He has worked in the fields of HIV/AIDS, disability, youth, health and wellbeing, community
cohesion, environmental regeneration, community safety, community training and education,
and has led various teams of multi-disciplinary professionals towards attaining development
project objectives, ranging from local community to national settings. Leon’s work is
underpinned by a deep passion for human rights. He holds an Honours Degree in
Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Social Policy and Development.
Lucas Radebe was born on April 12, 1969, in Diepkloof, Soweto. At the age of 15, his
parents sent him to Bophuthatswana to escape the violence in their hometown. A lifelong
soccer enthusiast, Radebe began playing more seriously in the Bophuthatswana Soccer
League for the ICL Birds, initially as a goalkeeper before transitioning to a midfield role.
In 1994, Radebe signed with Leeds United in England. Although he faced a challenging
start, he eventually won over the fans, who affectionately dubbed him “the Chief.” After being
part of the South African squad that triumphed in the 1996 African Nations Cup, he was
appointed captain of Leeds in 1998.
Following his return to South Africa to lead Bafana
Bafana in that year’s World Cup, Radebe focused on guiding Leeds toward success. The
team finished fourth in the 1998-1999 English Premiership and improved to third place the
following year, securing a spot in the prestigious European Cup, now known as the
Champions League.
Tshegofatso Tiyani Sephula is an author who was born in 1994, in Pretoria, Gauteng.
Surrounded by the perks provided by a new and ever-changing South Africa, he grew up
with privileges and opportunities his ancestors could have only dreamed of.
His penchant for writing became his most important outlet as he began to experience severe
mental health issues in his late teens. He would go on to be diagnosed with severe
depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and attention deficit disorder. What
followed was a decade of stagnation, failure, and hopelessness, which would culminate in a
suicide attempt.
As a result of his experiences, mental illness and childhood trauma have somewhat
paradoxically, become his life’s purpose. As a director of the Risima Foundation his mission
is to educate and empower as many people as he can, but above all, to let them know that
they are not alone.
Kgaugelo Habyane is a dynamic media professional, independent researcher and
contributor on men’s issues. He hosts and manages “Manned Up Conversations,” a podcast
dedicated to exploring men’s ways of being through authentic, and insightful dialogues.
As a practicing member of the Ontological Coaching Community, Kgaugelo’s person-centred
and compassionate approach has seen the growth of his work extend beyond the podcast.
He has contributed to some noteable campaigns, community engagements and events
around various men’s issues including a collaboration with SADAG, working with the South
African Federation For Mental Health’s youth mental health advocacy cohort, and hosting a
bi-weekly male students program at Varsity Studios in Hatfield, Pretoria.
Subscribe to @JohnCraigSA on YouTube and stay up to date with our podcast as the new
episodes are released on the 03, 10, 17, 24, and 31 October 2024 – on topics that touch on
an overview of mental health, common risk factors and seeking help.
John Craig’s aim is to create awareness around men’s mental health and normalize these
conversations. The brand wants to reach as many men as possible because early
intervention can prevent the escalation of mental health problems, but they also want to
foster a culture of empathy and support. John Craig has always been in the front line of
advocating for men and mental health issues they may be faced with, the brand focuses on
grooming and self-care by assisting men finding themselves again, from revamping their
wardrobe to revamping what matters the most, their mental health.
How to Get Involved
Join the movement by following and subscribing to @JohnCraigSA on social media
platforms and specifically YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@johncraig, interact in the
comments section and get as much knowledge as you can, share the podcast with as many
men as possible and use the hashtag #JohnCraigMindMatters to share your mental health
journey. Together, we can help reshape the narrative around men’s mental health,
encourage men to seek help, and create lasting change.
