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

Don't miss out • Keep an eye out for the next two editions of the little issue. Editions 19 and 20 will be available soon!

A holy moment

Meet our vendors • A donation to renew a driving licence, washing machines, assistance with the Road Accident Fund, jobs, monetary assistance, or building material can go a long way for our Big Issue vendors.

Flushing freedom • Ceramicist Mervyn Gers turns toilets into defences against control.

Building blocks of literacy • JANE LE ROUX at UCT’s Faculty of Health Sciences shares creative ways to foster early learning.

Trauma: a cycle, not a moment • Childhood abuse and neglect have a profound effect on society, feeding cycles of instability, illness, and poverty. But ubuntu can trump annual campaigns to end violence against children.

Rashid Lombard: an African icon • We pay tribute to a legendary photographer by sharing a selection of the world as seen through his lens.

Cape history & identity • The Cape Flats Arts and Culture Festival is challenging museums and institutions to decolonise the narratives that have long silenced indigenous voices.

Breaking bread • How Cape Flats chefs are forging extraordinary paths and inspiring youth through food, resilience, and dreams made real.

Youth job hunt secrets • With youth unemployment at 45.5%, experience isn’t everything. Discover the six surprising factors employers actually prioritise when hiring young talent today.

The porn problem • When consumed regularly, porn can create addictive cycles, trigger anxiety, and lead to difficulty with real-life relationships. South Africa has yet to implement meaningful safeguards. Until then, the status quo stands: unlimited access, no gatekeepers, and growing social fallout.

Retirement property checklist • Seven things to consider before investing in a retirement estate.

When your therapist dies • After 20 years of therapy, a text message shattered everything. A deeply personal story about grief that society doesn’t recognise or understand.

Homemade pet treats • Skip expensive store-bought treats and whip up budget-friendly goodies your furry friends will love. Simple recipes using kitchen staples you probably already have.

Letter f crossword • Use the empty boxes to spell each word across or down

PET CARE

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS • Our Big Issue vendors enjoy creative sessions hosted by Elaine Millin, our Art Facilitator. For the May session, the theme was thinking of people who inspire, famous or someone they know, for their special qualities. Kindness, compassion, love, generosity: those qualities that are needed in the world. The vendors were invited to find images that express the qualities in the person they appreciate.

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