The Big Issue

High quality, varied and entertaining content for readers across age, culture, religion, gender and other demographics. Stories include reporting on local and international happenings with a ‘bigger issue’ about an individual, and unusual news or events that impact us all. The Big Issue shares in-depth interviews with local and international celebrities, artists, change-makers and thought leaders. It also focuses on local people or organisations committed to making positive changes in society – intent on finding innovative ways to effect change.

The Big Issue

Cyber and Seasonal insights

BIG ISSUE BEACH DAYS • On your way down south? As you travel beachward to Fish Hoek, look out for our vendors Zuko Pholo and Batsi Jorofani who supply readers with The Big Issue at this end of the peninsula. The magazine is a great beach read and beats taking your cellphone onto the sand. Remember, your purchase is not an act of pity; it helps create opportunities to end poverty and exclusion, and empowers people on their life journey.

THE BIG ISSUE SUPPORTING • It has been an absolute pleasure working with Xolisile Mavela, a Public Relations student from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), as our intern at The Big Issue. Xolisile's willingness to learn and an eager approach are qualities that will take her far in her career.

For people who love books

A CHARITABLE MOVE • Where the government has failed, ordinary citizens are stepping in. A group of gainfully employed South Africans have cashed in their overtime pay and donated the money to a shelter in need.

CATCHING WAVES • A surf school offers a ‘safe haven’ for boys in Muizenberg. The Local Surf Lounge Academy relies on donations from other surfers. It offers surf lessons to boys from poorer communities.

A new chapter for our youth • Local celebrities have joined forces to foster reading in South African schools. You may recognise Dan Nicholl, host and executive producer of The Dan Nicholl Show on SuperSport, as well as an Really Likes Wine, an online wine show. Dan's foundation is collaborating with Exclusive Books in an initiative for kids across the country…

Buffing up on gibbon conservation • The South African National Biodiversity Institute's National Zoological Garden (SANBI NZG) is excited to introduce Sylvester, a male buff-cheeked gibbon, which recently arrived from La Teste-de-Buch zoo in France.

Different and the same!

COUNT THE ANIMALS • Fill in the correct number of animals in the circles below.

URGENT APPEAL • The Big Issue has been dealt a blow after an email scam where cybercriminals have stolen limited funds. This specific type of fraud is known as a ‘hacker scam’. We are appealing to the public for assistance where possible …

CONSUMER JOURNALIST WENDY KNOWLER EXPLAINS THE TYPE OF SCAM THAT CAUGHT THE BIG ISSUE

Consumer scams • Scams are old news but their nature continually changes and evolves

SOCIAL ENGINEERING DECEPTION • INTERPOL keeps a vigilant eye on emerging methods that criminals employ to dupe individuals into divulging sensitive information and funds. It takes special care to stay updated on these ever-evolving trends and routinely convenes expert gatherings on social engineering deception.

How the Big Issue was scammed • Ebrahim Sadien, owner of www.iloveit.capetown, discusses how incidents like The Big Issue cyber scam can occur …

MONTH OF FLOODS • September 2023 will be remembered as the month of the floods in the Western Cape.

Watch where you swim • Cape Town is ordered to hold public hearings on sewage being pumped into the sea, and the Environment Minister criticises the City's previous lack of engagement. Summer bathers are advised to watch where they swim as pollution becomes a real-time hazard.

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