From Hustle to Healing in the Man Cave

Male entrepreneurs share valuable mental health insights with their peers

The pressure to succeed in business while fulfilling traditional roles as financial providers continues to weigh heavily on male entrepreneurs in South Africa. In a strained economic climate, many men are navigating the demanding world of business while carrying the societal expectation of being symbols of financial strength. This pressure, compounded by the stigmatisation of male vulnerability, is contributing to growing mental health challenges, substance abuse, gender-based violence, and suicide.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), men in South Africa are five times more likely to die by suicide compared to their female counterparts. The country also ranks among the top ten globally for suicide rates, underscoring the urgent need for open, honest conversations about men’s mental health.

Recognising this need, Proudly South African, the national buy-local campaign, hosted Man Cave at Riverside in Johannesburg on Thursday, 12 June. The event provided male entrepreneurs with a safe space to express themselves freely, without fear of judgment. In these sessions, Proudly South African members discussed the challenges they face both in business and in their personal lives, offering insights into how they have navigated mental health struggles while managing businesses.

The event featured renowned industry leaders who shared their entrepreneurial journeys and the mental health challenges they have faced. Speakers included:

• Zuza Mbatha, Group CEO of Adreach
• Dumi Mahlangu, Founder of Chepa
• Lethabo Mokoena, award-winning Founder of Walk Fresh
• David Wilson, Director at the National Mentorship Movement

The session was facilitated by acclaimed actor and mental health advocate Zane Meas.

“Man Cave is more than just a networking platform. It’s about normalising conversations around mental health for men, as well as addressing the tragedy that is GBV in South Africa. We want male entrepreneurs to know that real strength includes vulnerability, and that seeking help is a sign of courage, not weakness.”

said Eustace Mashimbye, CEO of Proudly South African

Mashimbye highlighted that Man Cave is designed to create room for emotional honesty in a world where men are often expected to carry burdens in silence.

“Running a business is demanding and often isolating. Too many entrepreneurs are suffering in silence, trying to appear invincible while facing overwhelming pressures. Man Cave offers an opportunity to say, ‘It’s okay to not be okay,’ and to take steps towards healing and balance,”.

he said

The initiative is timely given the harsh business environment. Stats SA reported 109 business liquidations in April alone, bringing the total to 482 for the year so far. The hardest-hit sectors include finance, insurance, real estate, business services, trade, catering, and accommodation.

“More often than not, when businesses go under, we lament the jobs and livelihoods lost, but we seldom consider the toll on the entrepreneurs behind them. Through this initiative, we hope to foster greater public understanding, enhance emotional intelligence among male entrepreneurs, and help erode the underlying causes of social ills such as substance abuse and gender-based violence,”.

Mashimbye concluded