The Big Issue on sale from vendors in Cape Town from February 16 to March 23. Get your copy and be part of job creation in SA – it’s more than just a good deed; it’s a damn good read.
* On the cover: Exclusive interview with the Pope.
* Photo essay: A selection from this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, on loan to South Africa by London’s Natural History Museum
* Agents of change: How starting a small bakery is literally changing lives
* Special Report: What the drought, extreme heat and mismanagement of sewage and rivers means to the country.
* Rocking on: Just Jinjer issue their first album in seven years. Q&A with Lead singer Ard Matthews.
* What’s on? The latest festivals, music events, markets and more
‘WE NEED TO FIGHT FOR A WORLD WITHOUT POVERTY’
Pope Francis gives an exclusive interview to the street newspapers network and talks about tackling poverty and corruption, his origins in Buenos Aires, his poor soccer playing abilities, and missing the streets.
WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD
From the beauty of the hawksbill turtle captured in pristine blue waters off Papua New Guinea, to the male komodo dragons fighting for territory, to the red fox killing off an arctic fox in northern Canada as global warming increases its range, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards are a reminder of just how glorious our planet is — and also just how threatened it is by humanity.
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
Rise Up Bakeries is a smart, easy to establish small business development for people in surrounding towns. Five people are trained to run a container-based bakery, from baking through to finances and marketing, and take over the business themselves. We report on the one in Riebeek West.
DOWN TO THE LAST DROP…
We pull together a nationwide look at how the drought, extreme heat and mismanagement have created a critical situation in many parts of the country. And talk to people on the ground – township dwellers and farmers – about what it means to them. The effects on food production will be with us for some time to come…. And we need to address failures in water preservation and conservation urgently.
NEW LEASE, NEW LEGACY
Just Jinger, one of the best-selling rock groups in South Africa, is back from a seven-year break with a brand-new album. Lead singer Ard Matthews explains why.
Don’t miss…
Chwayita’s story: Chwayita Desemele may struggle with English, but that hasn’t stopped her from being a very successful vendor on the corner of Kloof and Long Streets in the city and that’s why she’s been chosen as March Vendor of the Month.
Elsie’s story: Last year Elsie Ntsini’s eyesight was so bad she could only see shapes and shadows. It turned out she had cataracts in both eyes, so The Big Issue organized two ops for her over 5 months to restore her eyesight, operations that feel like miracles to her. You can visit her Bellville Market, Landros Street, Bellville.
The Big Issue #239 is on sale from vendors in Cape Town from February 16 to March 23, 2016. Anyone outside of Cape Town can buy the magazine here.
Get your copy and be part of job creation in SA – it’s more than just a good deed; it’s a damn good read.
Don’t forget: you can buy The Big Issue with your smartphone! Visit for a step-by-step guide.
For more information, visit
