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

Voter education, and a coup d'état …

SPOILER ALERT

CET TO KNOW OUR VENDORS • Our vendors sell The Big Issue to generate a living. They buy the magazines with their own money and profits from sales are their sole earnings. If you would like to donate to our vendors’ wish lists below and make a dream come true, please reach out to us. The Big Issue is a social enterprise. Purchasing a copy helps to create opportunities to end poverty and exclusion.

TENDER WORDS FROM MOMS • Our Social Worker, Melody Combakomba chatted with our women vendors in honour of Mother's Day.

Loud call of the wild • With roots deeply entrenched in the Zululand bushveld of northern KZN, Durban author Ashling McCarthy is in the throes of penning a wildlife crime series focusing on the stories behind the animal poaching crisis. Her first two books in The Poacher's Moon Crime Series are Down at Jika Jika Tavern, and The Leopard in the Lala. They delve into the deep underworld of illicit trade in protected species, offering a myriad of perspectives into this complex issue.

Reconsider herd mentality • If you're unhappy with any aspect of your life right now, are low on self-confidence, or you're frustrated but have no idea how to take that first step towards change, then Thoughtonomy by entrepreneur, business coach and public speaker, Grant Gavin, may be for you.

YOUR NATIONAL IDENTITY • Hatred and bottled-up anger take an enormous amount of energy. More often hatred is really an indicator of pain and frustration. This couldn't be more true for South Africans of all races. Use this framework to help deepen your understanding of yourself and others.

ANDRÉ DE RUYTER TRUTH TO POWER My Three Years Inside Eskom • André de Ruyter is not beholden to the ruling party. Thankfully so, because he gives us an honest account of his three years spent at the utility in his shocking memoir, Truth to Power.

ESKOM – THE SUCKLING PIG

Discouraged by rude UIF staff • Legal answers to tough questions …

Choose your behaviour

A NEW LEADER • Zackie Achmat calls himself a movement builder, political activist and law reformer. He challenged and changed the horrifying AIDS negation by Thabo Mbeki of the ANC. Harvard reports that more than 330 000 people died prematurely from HIV/AIDS between 2000 and 2005 due to the Mbeki obstruction, and at least 35 000 babies were born with HIV infections that could have been prevented. Now he wants to be South Africa's fi rst independent Member of Parliament and fi ght criminals. He is standing as an independent candidate for the National Assembly in 2024 and wants to #FixTheState. The activist explains why.

From grassroots to green fingers • In the heart of the Eastern Cape, where poverty, food insecurity and unemployment persist, a ray of hope emerges through the efforts of Neziswa Mlenzana, a passionate social entrepreneur.

PENPALS ARE BACK • The Love Trust's Nokuphila School in Tembisa has found a unique way to promote cross-cultural dialogue through its pen pal programme.

ABOUT THE LOVE TRUST

Alex residents clean up • Government welcomes community forum's effort…

COMMUNITY IN ACTION – GET INVOLVED

Shack dwellers want ANC gone • Nelson...