By Chris Coetzee, OHSS Consulting
In the world of trades, we often talk about structural integrity, load-bearing walls and pressure-tested pipes. But what about the internal pressure?
To get in touch with the FIT Committee, please email fit@iopsa.org or WhatsApp them on +27 (0) 82 218 7454. IOPSA: Fit for F.I.T.
For too long, the ‘tough’ exterior required on-site has prevented honest conversations about mental health. Friends in Trades (F.I.T) is changing that narrative, proving that the strongest thing an artisan can do is show up for themselves, and each other.
The power of ‘active’ engagement
Mental health awareness isn’t just about brochures and seminars, it’s about connection. F.I.T has traded the boardroom for the great outdoors, launching a series of social walks across South Africa to provide a safe, neutral space for artisans to decompress.
The momentum is already building:
- Johannesburg: We kicked things off with a fantastic turnout at The Big Red Eighteen dedicated individuals joined us for a 5km walk, proving that there is a hunger for community and a shared desire to step out of the isolation that site work can sometimes create.
- Cape Town: On 7 March 2026, the Mother City took the baton. F.I.T headed to the Atlantic seaboard for an 8km walk starting from Mouille Point. With the ocean air and the iconic promenade as our backdrop, it’s the perfect environment to clear the head and start a real conversation.
- Durban: The journey continued at the Kenneth Stainbank Nature A 5km walk through one of KZN’s most beautiful coastal forests offered our Durban artisans a chance to reconnect with nature and their peers.
Breaking the stigma
Why walking? Because side-by-side conversation is often easier than face-to-face. When you are walking a trail or a promenade, the barriers come down. The stigma of mental health suggests that struggling is a sign of weakness, but F.I.T is here to remind the industry that mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness.
Under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, we are mandated to care for the health of our workers. Historically, that meant lungs, hearing and limbs. In 2026, we recognise that a healthy workforce is one that is mentally resilient. By gathering at spots like The Big Red Barn or Mouille Point, we are practicing ‘preventative maintenance’ on our most important equipment: our minds.
Why we walk: Breaking the ‘Iron Man’ stigma
In the South African plumbing and construction sectors, there is a historical stigma that admitting to stress, anxiety or burnout is a signof weakness. We are taught to be the ‘Iron Men’ or ‘Iron Women’ of infrastructure, unbreakable and always available.
F.I.T. was founded to challenge this dangerous myth. Statistics show that the construction and trade industries are among the highest-risk groups for mental health struggles globally. By organising these walks, we achieved three critical goals:
- Normalisation: We made it okay to say, “I’m struggling”
- Connection: We broke the isolation that often comes with being a sub-contractor or a sole proprietor.
- Physical-mental synergy: We reminded our peers that physical movement is a primary tool for mental clarity, as recognised by modern interpretations of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act.
Join the movement
Whether you are a master plumber, an apprentice or a business owner, these walks are for you. You don’t need to be an athlete, you just need to be a friend in the trade. F.I.T isn’t just a group, it’s a lifeline. Every kilometre we cover together is a step toward a South African trade industry where no one has to struggle in silence. We are building more than just infrastructure; we are building a support system that lasts long after the tools are packed away.
