The Art Theme for THE BIG ISSUE #353 is Finding Light In Nature, set by Director of the Vendor Art Programme, Elaine Millin, and again we are impressed by the wide range of creartive responses by the vendors.
Thabisa Xwethu
The vendors were invited to find Nature images for their inner light or qualities inspired by these quotes from Nelson Mandela – “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” and “it is in your hands’ and each of us can do something, each of us can just do a small thing, sometimes it can just be a smile, or drying a tear. Do what God moves you to do.”
The Featured Vendor Artis this month is Thabisa Xwethu.
Thabisa Xwethu grew up in Nyanga township Cape Town staying with her aunt. She attended I.D. Mkhize high school in Gugulethu. She attended some art classes at the Peter Clarke Art Centre while at school. She now lives with her 3 children, 15 year old daughter and 4 year old son and her new baby daughter Milla. She enjoys cooking during her spare time. She likes participating in the art sessions at The Big Issue and wants to develop her skills.
Her painting is titled: “Baby Milla” – see below.
The other Vendor Artists in THE BIG ISSUE #353
Chwayita Desemela – Tree in my backyard
Nopinki Feni – In the garden
Cynthia Gogotya – Love
Solomon Masoso – Joyful atmosphere for Women
Michael van der Walt – Flowers in pots
Thabisa Xwethu. Baby Milla,
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- Chwayita Desemela
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- Nopinki Feni
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- Cynthia Gogotya
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- Solomon Masoso
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- Michael van der Walt.
Bridging the cashless divide
The Big Issue #342 introduced you to ‘Empowering South Africa’s informal economy with Tip4Change‘. You can do a good deed:
• Use QR codes to pay informal workers without carrying cash
• Keep apps like SnapScan or Zapper ready for small transactions
The cost of the artwork is R350.00 – R300 goes to the Artist R50 to the art programme.
To acquire a work E elainemillin.art@gmail.com. The work can also be see at the Noordhoek Art Point Gallery. “Pop in, have a look, and help support our local stars”
WHAT: Vendor Artists – THE BIG ISSUE #353
WHERE: Available from your favourite vendor across the city. Anyone outside the city of Cape Town can buy the magazine nationally at selected Spar and Pick n Pay stores. Anyone outside of Cape Town can also buy the magazine here.
Don’t forget: you can buy The Big Issue with your smartphone! Visit for a step-by-step guide.
INFO: E bigissue@mikatekomedia.co.za | Visit | Editorial: Editor Ingrid Jones, 021-461-6690 | Advertising/Marketing: Derek Carelse at derekcarelse@mweb.co.za | SDee also Cape Town Green Map
The WHAT, WHY & WHERE of the
arts scene in around Cape Town
see the 2026 art craft + museums map
and listen in to the
Arts Round Up on Fridays @12:45
on Fine Music Radio FMR 101.3fm
The FMR App makes it even easier to tune into the Arts Round Up on Fridays! i-Phone HERE | Android HERE
Another reason Cape Town is placed 3rd in Time Out’s World’s Best Cities for Culture!
