From early mornings spent on air to long, soul-searching road trips across the country, Stan Mars’s journey is one of reinvention, resilience and the unbreakable bonds that define his role as a father
When you hear the familiar, welcoming tone of Stan Mars on the airwaves, it’s easy to forget that behind every lekker laugh and perfectly executed Sunday show is a man whose life has been shaped by more than just the thrill of radio.
His voice is as iconic as the city of Cape Town itself. Starting out in radio back in 1997, Stan made a name for himself with his larger-than-life personality and engaging way of speaking to the masses. He’s recently moved to Kfm 94.5, bringing a respected yet renewed veteran energy and new outlook on life that’s quickly won the hearts of listeners.
Behind the mic
He may be nearing the ‘diamond jubilee’ milestone, but Stan is full of life and tenacity. Walking into our photo-shoot studio, he’s like the fun uncle everyone’s always drawn to – cracking a joke at every corner and getting everyone out of their shells. It’s clear he has a way with the crowd since he’s been a media personality, voice actor and MC for nearly three decades.
“Oh no! Must I put my radio voice on for this?” he jokes, as he and I begin to chat.
Stan made his way from doing live activations and promo work at malls and campus radio gigs at Stellenbosch University and UWC, to becoming an integral part of Radio Award-nominated teams like Good Hope FM. Just an “average Joe from Kuilsriver”, as he puts it, Stan said he always wanted to be a radio jock. He wasn’t the kind of boy who wanted to be a doctor, policeman or fireman.
“I think by the second station I worked at, I went to my dad (also named Stan which is short for Stanley) and I said to him: ‘I can’t do this, I’m not good enough…’ By that time I was probably 19 – so I’d already had this dream for many years. It makes me emotional to talk about it. And he said to me: ‘There is no one greater than you. You’ve got to believe it. You have to live it, but you also have to know it…’
@bigmarsman It’s rough out here #bigstanmars #fitness ♬ original sound – BigMarsMan
“Those words sparked something in my head, and I had this ‘on’ switch. And when you believe in yourself, you’ll be surprised what you can achieve. Because of my dad’s words to me, that’s when my journey changed. And from there, my rocket took off!”
Today, Stan is a Capetonian icon, with millions of beloved fans across the country. He’s known as the sensitive soul with a big heart and a big personality, using his platform to encourage, inspire and make a difference. He’s helped communities in need and has raised awareness around important issues like education and cancer (working with the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation).
“I did this segment – it’s probably the best segment I’ve done in more than 20 years as a broadcaster – called aideokee’. It’s something that I developed purely for children. It is the biggest thing I’ve done and am passionate about. And the kids, they send me the sweetest motivations and messages,” he says.
“I love having the ability to share my love for music with people… my love for all things in general, actually. I have lived my dream for 20-odd years, and it just gets better each and every single day… My love and my passion for radio is still growing day by day.”
I’ve lived my dream for 20-odd years, and it just gets better each and every single day
Always on the move
There’s more to Stan than just a love for the airwaves. Given his career choice, he’s had plenty of opportunities to travel the world. Ask him about his favourite kind of adventure, and he’ll tell you it’s being on the open road and exploring. An enthusiastic car lover, he takes every opportunity to go on road trips – sometimes just to escape the daily grind and clear his mind.
“I absolutely love checking out anything local. I’m a big road-trip fanatic. I road-trip everywhere. At least once a month, I’ll go to Knysna for the morning – I’ll quickly drive out there for lunch and then come back! Next on my list is Upington. I’ve heard amazing things…
“I’ve got a van that’s spacious. If anything goes wrong, I can just sleep in the van. I like to take my time with it. I cruise, I enjoy the silence, but most of all I enjoy the open road. We live in a beautiful country.
“I’ve visited a lot of cool sites, like the most haunted place in SA, the Lord Milner Hotel in Matjiesfontein, and places like Ceres and Sun City. Mind you, the best sushi I’ve ever had was in Swellendam!”
Aside from his soul-searching trips, Stan gets to MC and host events internationally and locally, and heads up proceedings at Hanover Street, a bar-lounge-club at GrandWest Casino in Cape Town.
But he admits he is beginning to slow down his rocket at this point, as he needs to prioritise his health more.
“I had a health scare at the end of last year, which was a blessing in disguise. I was supposed to do an overseas trip, and I ended up spending my New Year in a hospital bed. That was the wake-up call I needed!”
He reveals that his best friend, Farhan Khan, died at age 47 while playing golf. “He was a medical doctor and the best human you’d ever meet. And he didn’t get that wake-up call… So, when I came out of hospital, I realised that playtime is over. Sometimes people don’t get second chances. I feel this is my second chance.”
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Embracing wellness
As he juggles work and life, Stan has committed himself to improving his health and wellness this year, working closely with the Institute of Universal Wellcare (InUWell), founded by Dr Kamlen Pillay in 2023 – ‘wellcare’ being a combination of wellness and self-care. It offers a holistic, proactive approach to physical, mental and social health and well-being.
“I’m part of this wellcare programme called MBA (Mind Body Alignment). Dr Kathleen Green keeps me in check! She checks up on me all the time. There’s an incredible team that has assisted me and is keeping me accountable,” Stan explains.
Stan’s customised programme involves everything from sensory and immersive breathing therapies to physical workouts. Most important for his success is first getting to the root of what is weighing him down emotionally (like grief, the loss of his father in 2022, career challenges), working through traumas and getting better-quality sleep.
“Being in broadcasting, my sleep has been busted for probably more than 20 years! It’s the one thing that I’m really working on in 2025 – to just sleep more. It’s one of the key components of losing weight and a better lifestyle overall,” he says.
Stan uses the Ultrahuman Ring AIR to track all his personal data, from sleep, stress and heart health to workouts and recovery. By simply improving his sleep, exercising, taking more walks and managing stress better, Stan lost 9kg in the first month of the programme.
“One of my doctors told me: ‘Keep pushing. We’re going to get there. If you’ve fallen off the bike, it’s okay – get back on the bike, don’t lose momentum.’ So, yeah, I think that was the important thing. It’s okay to fall off, but it’s important to get back on.”
Stan no longer wants to be called ‘Big Stan’. He believes that this nickname, and him being a beloved public figure, has normalised being the ‘big guy’, when in fact it is not normal or healthy. He wants to be better for himself and a role model for his kids.
“I understand the importance of parenting. It’s not just about having kids; it’s about being the best version of yourself for your kids. Show up for them. More importantly, show up for yourself! Because how do you preach to them if you’re not the example? How do I say, ‘eat your veggies’ if I don’t eat my veggies?”
Show up for your kids. More importantly, show up for yourself!
Stan the dad
Stan believes he is a good dad because of his own father, who always believed in him and pushed him to believe in himself.
“My dad had my back. He showed up whenever I needed him. When I was wrong, he told me. And we disagreed, and sometimes we agreed to disagree. I lost my dad three years ago, but his teachings are things I will never forget. It’s things I remind my son and my daughter of as well,” Stan says.
He understands the importance of having a strong role model in terms of a father in a child’s life. “I don’t want to get technical with you, but I see the lack of dads these days and the repercussions thereof. To all fathers, I just want to say, `Man up, step up, be present if you have the responsibility.’
“Fatherhood is one of the most important things I’ve ever done. Before I had kids, radio was it, but fatherhood is the most important thing. I’ve got two kids, 10 and 13 years old, and they are a handful but also a blessing. My daughter has gone from daddy’s girl to daddy’s enemy as she’s grown up,” he laughs, “but I’m absolutely enjoying being a dad, tremendously!”
One of the reasons Stan has chosen to make lifestyle and career changes, and slow down, is so that he can have more time and health to spend with his kids and loved ones. “Father’s Day this year? Well, I’ll spend it with my dad – visiting his grave, maybe vent a little to him – and then I’ll see what my kids have brewed up for me… with my own money, of course!” he jokes.
For a man who finds joy in both the journey and the destination, Stan Mars is living proof that being a parent isn’t about perfection – it’s about the love, lessons and moments we create along the way. And whether he’s behind the microphone or behind the wheel on a road trip, Stan is always on the path to something bigger and better – one step at a time.
Rapid fire Q&A
Favourite Fragrance:
Anything by Issey Miyake.
Cheat Day Snack:
I’m a typical salomie [curry in a roti] kind of guy.
On-Air Hack:
I do have one, but that would be giving away too much!
Top Hangout Spot:
Hanover Street music lounge at Grandwest
Best Dad Hack:
Simply put, show up!
Keep up with Stan Mars
Instagram: @bigstanmars
Facebook: Stan Mars
TikTok: @bigmarsman
By: Charndré Emma Kippie
Photography by: Zhann Solomons
Text courtesy of Club magazine
