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 SA

A GLOBAL CRISIS

DRASTIC CHANGES ARE AFOOT • A drastic change to the housing policy in South Africa is in the pipeline …

MEET OUR VENDORS • The Big Issue is a social enterprise, creating opportunities to end poverty and exclusion. Our vendors operate as self-made entrepreneurs and their sole earnings are the profits made from each magazine sale. We appeal to you to donate to our vendors’ wish lists below, enabling them to further their opportunities. If you can make a dream come true, please reach out to us.

Healthcare for our vendors • Volunteers are providing vital health services for our vendors, says Big Issue Social Worker Tsephi Nhemachena.

Outwit, outlast • It’s said that people leave managers, not companies. But for many, it’s simply not feasible to leave a job in current economic circumstances. Impossible Bosses – Secret Strategies to Deal with 8 Archetypal Managers (published by Jonathan Ball), provides top strategies for dealing with awful bosses.

A new (homeless) middle class … • Homelessness in the United States has escalated to chronic levels since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Letter from a US citizen … • Housing for the people: the landlord greed machine … Street Roots vendor [a US street publication affiliated with The Big Issue] Bronwyn Jones Carver [from Portland, Oregon], has been homeless since a landlord tried to raise her rent by nearly 100 percent in 2015. Approaching seven years on the streets, she’s learned to adapt and reach for new heights. This is Bronwyn’s story.

Where’s your next move? • People who are homeless are not social inadequates. They are people without homes. The ‘Place to Live’ policy is helping Hamburg’s needy.

little issue • young minds matter

IN THE NAME OF SURVIVAL • Brasilian city’s homeless get incentive for going to a shelter – beds for their pets

UKRAINE • From a career as an engineer to homeless – the world shrinks to a basement in the Ukraine for a grandmother …

Overberg ‘Khoi-munity’ threatened • Plans are afoot to create a ‘Khoisan Orania’ in Grabouw. But the Western Cape High Court is to decide the fate of Knoflokskraal.

Mobile showers help homeless • Nina Manzi (mother of water) – a mobile shower and an ablution facility servicing homeless people went into full operation recently in Cape Town. The bus offers 15-minute hot showers in exchange for vouchers earned through programmes run by an organisation called U-Turn. People living on the streets of the city struggle to access decent washing and toilet facilities.

A PLACE CALLED HOME • South African photographer and journalist Masixole Feni captures homes, both lost and found, to promote social awareness.

A HOW-TO GUIDE • You’ll find everything you need to know about government housing in this article. Help someone you know who is in need. Please pass the information on.

Exotic sounds of Egypt • Egyptian music sensation Dina El Wedidi, a former Rolex protégé and awardwinning artist, will be treating Baxter Theatre Centre audiences to two special performances on 30 September and 1 October.

WHAT’S ON? • Enjoy an immersive dinner and theatre experience like no other, check out the latest in pop culture and be amazed by child...