Craig Loubser. Image: Shelley Christians/UWCThe first thing you notice when you meet Craig Loubser is his beard. It’s thick, full, and as he likes to say, “grows like a weed”. But behind that beard lies a much deeper story - one that started with loss.
Loubser, an Administrative Assistant at the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSwD) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), reflected on it deeply.
“I started growing my beard from the 10th of October to the 10th of October - a full 365 days. It began about five years ago, after we lost a couple of students to suicide. One of them I knew personally, and it hit us hard. That’s when I decided to do something that could keep the conversation going,” said Loubser.
His decision dates back to a painful moment when two students who were in a relationship took their own lives within days of each other. The tragedy took a heavy toll on Loubser and silence for him was no longer an option.
“I’m not a psychologist or a psychiatrist, but I thought there was something I could do. If someone asks me, ‘Why the beard?’, that question can lead to a conversation about mental health. It’s a heavy topic to just bring up out of nowhere, but this makes it easier,” he said.
Loubser’s role stretches far beyond administration. He works across inclusion of students, awareness campaigns and student wellbeing. He liaises with faculties, infrastructure and engineering teams, as well as external organisations such as the South African Guide Dogs Association (SAGDA) and the Cape Town Society for the Blind, to ensure that differently abled students have access to the resources and spaces they need to thrive.
“My job is to make sure our students have what they need to succeed, and on top of that, I focus a lot on student wellness because if our students aren’t okay mentally, the rest doesn’t matter,” he said.
Loubser also co-chairs the Parasports Programme at UWC. It is a project he has nurtured for years.
“We’ve finally got some traction,” he said while smiling. “It’s been a long journey, but worth it.”
Loubser’s story connects to a broader and more alarming reality: mental health among South African students has reached crisis levels. According to a 2023 national study published in the International Journal of Mental Health Systems, more than 70% of university students in South Africa reported experiencing a mental health problem or self-harm within a year. Yet, only one in five received any form of help.
Video: Jesi Townsend/UWC
“The landscape has changed completely from 10 years ago. The stress on students is massive, including social, financial and academic aspects. Social media plays a huge role. Back in the day, you only had to impress your friends. Now you’re up against millions of strangers with opinions about you. That constant comparison takes a toll,” said Loubser.
“We’ve seen a big rise in psychosocial disorders, things like bipolar mood disorder, anxiety and depression. And then there’s the growing number of students identified with neurodivergent conditions like autism spectrum disorder and dyslexia. The understanding is better now, but the stigma is still there.”
Loubser didn’t anticipate how, over time, the beard would not only affect how others approached him but also how he saw himself. “I’m not naturally someone who just starts conversations with strangers,” he was quick to admit.
“So when people come up to me and ask, it opens that door. I get to talk about something that matters. My mindset has always been: we’ve got about 28 000 students at UWC, but if I can help one person a day, if I can raise awareness with just one individual, then I’ve done something good. The message is more important than how people see me.”
Through this small act, he found a sense of confidence and connection he didn’t expect. “I used to care a lot about how people saw me. That’s changed. The message matters more than the man,” said Loubser.
Loubser and his colleagues at the OSwD hosted a week of campus-wide activities to mark National Mental Health Day (October 10) focused on wellness and connection and exploring ways to care for one’s mental health beyond the counselling room.
“We realised that awareness alone isn’t enough. We also need to show students how to take care of themselves in small ways through movement, creativity and community,” he said.
The week focused on student wellness and connection, starting with Indigenous games, such as hopscotch and skipping rope, to encourage play and joy, on the Monday. Tuesday’s walk through the Cape Flats Nature Reserve, located on campus, promoted balance and mindfulness. Wednesday’s stakeholder engagement brought together groups like the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), which manages UWC’s 24-hour counselling line. On Thursday, a concert night showcased music and art as outlets for healing. Friday’s icebreaker activities - including board games, painting and open conversations - helped students feel supported and connected.
Loubser concluded quietly, “Sometimes all someone needs is to feel seen.” That was what the beard became - not a symbol, not a statement, but a starting point. A way to say: I’m here. I’ll listen. You’re not alone.
The OSwD falls under the Centre for Student Support Services (CSSS) at the University.
Students struggling with mental health issues are encouraged to make contact with CSSS and click the link for help. If you need counselling, call the toll-free line on: 0800222333
