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

SHOUTOUT

Thank you • Breaking News: the December/January Bumper Edition ‘Give the Greatest Gift of All – Education” sold out. Thanks for your ongoing support!

Please work with us • Big Issue Social Worker Melody Gombakomba updates us on the welfare of our vendors and their start to the new year.

Vendors around the world • German street paper Biss, like The Big Issue, is also a member of the International Network of Street Papers. Biss vendor Tibor Adamec discusses his vendor experience.

FACT TO FICTION • Cosy crime fiction sensation Richard Osman returns to the Coopers Chase retirement village for another instalment of his Thursday Murder Club series.

Good Jew, Bad Jew • A critique by one of South Africa's foremost political theorists of mainstream understandings of Jewishness by Steven Friedman.

Labelled by colour • Off-Centre and Out of Focus is a work of non-fiction by author Nadia Kamies.

DEFENDING CREATIVE TRADERS • South Africa is an attractive tourist destination for foreign travellers on the African continent. It ranks 27th out of 128 countries in the world when it comes to visitor arrivals. Its top attractions are its wildlife and immersive cultural experiences, where tourists engage with the traditions, history and way of life of communities in vibrant urban hubs like Cape Town and Soweto.

NARDSTAR'S MURAL ART • Nardstar has gained international recognition as a mural artist, illuminating spaces with her talent. The Big Issue chatted with her about her latest projects.

Storytime

When is your birthday?

BEEKEEPERS WIN BIG IN THE UK • As the Springboks edged closer to their World Cup victory with a series of nail-biting matches, and the Proteas made it to the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup, a group of Western Cape beekeepers was also doing their country proud.

‘Shear’ determination leads to ‘woolly’ wins • South Africans really know how to bring home the bacon! We know how rough it can be living here, what with ‘tough times never last but tough people do’ and all that. It's said that the harshest conditions shape the best competitors. Like diamonds, South Africans are proving themselves by far, to be some of the best in the world. Here we celebrate sheep-shearing – it's competitive!

MINE TO SCHOOL CONVERSION • A visionary social entrepreneur transforms a derelict mining mite into a thriving hub.

Getting resourceful with natural water sources • Limpopo learners are keeping tabs on river water quality. Their project links academics, citizen scientists and learners to monitor borehole and river water.

TOAD VERSUS ROAD • Hats off to Environmental Journalist John Yeld for his continuous coverage of the environment, bringing critical issues and government transgressions to light. Thanks also to those who actively campaign for the rights of nature and the outdoors. This time, it's ‘Toad versus Road’ in the Cape High Court as environmentalists challenge a road extension that threatens endangered Western Leopard Toads.

Determined Durban moms • Determined Durban moms recycle cardboard: “This is a ticket to send our children to university”…

i EMMY WINNER • First the Rugby World Cup, now the iEmmys: South Africans...