THE BIG ISSUE #317 – welcome to the PHILANTHROPY Edition available in South Africa, nationally, from select Spar, Pick n Pay and CNA stores, and street vendors across Cape Town CBD and suburbs. Get your copy soonest!
And here’s a welcome to the Philanthropy Edition by Ian Kilbride, Guest Editor for The Big Issue and Chairman of Spirit Invest and Spirit Foundation, and Honorary Professor at Stellenbosch Business School.
“To the best of my knowledge, no other publication in the world delivers such immediate and direct benefit to its vendors as
The Big Issue. It’s a simple, yet brilliant business model as much as it is a good monthly read. This is just one of the reasons the Spirit Organisation [a privately owned family organisation which operates its corporate activities under Spirit Invest and its philanthropic activities under the Spirit Foundation] has supported The Big Issue and its vendors over many years. We simply respect and appreciate what the publication stands for, how vendors are given a hand up and frankly, it’s an uplifting experience to be associated with it.
This month, it is my distinct honour to serve as the guest editor of The Big Issue. I have scripted a piece close to my heart, which is the under-researched area of business and society and in particular the role of philanthropy. I will be developing my thinking on this area as an Honorary Professor at the University of Stellenbosch Business School and would appreciate any feedback you may have to enhance my work in this area.
My Stellenbosch University colleague, Dr Armand Bam, who is the Managing Director of the Spirit Foundation, writes on the role of the disabled in the economy, which is not only thought-provoking, but is a useful guideline for employers.
Spirit Education Foundation Senior Manager, Saskia Wiese brings her many years of teaching experience to the fore in a challenging piece (page 30), examining why some schools work while others fail, despite operating in similar circumstances.
Petronel Nieuwoudt, the Founder and CEO of Care for Wild, pens a brilliant and moving piece on their unique work, a project supported by the Spirit Wildlife Foundation, but emphasising that wildlife conservation is about far more than ‘just animals’.
We then profile two remarkable sporting projects with a big impact. iCaddies seeks to ‘professionalise’ golf caddies so that the service provided to clubs and players is of the highest calibre, while ensuring that the skills caddies bring to the fairway are properly appreciated. Warwick Masi Pumas (page 36) is a story of grit and determination, combined with a fantastic community spirit and may indeed serve as a model for others.
Thank you for purchasing this copy of The Big Issue, for being part of its community of supporters and for making a contribution to the improvement of the life of your vendor” For Ian Kilbride’s contribution to the Philanthropy Edidition – see 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.”
WHAT: The Big Issue #317 – PHILANTHROPY Edition
WHEN & WHERE: April – May 2023
Available from your favourite vendor across the city. Anyone outside the city of Cape Town can buy the magazine 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 Laura Jones, 021-461-6690 | Advertising/Marketing: Derek Carelse at derekcarelse@mweb.co.za
See also Cape Town Green Map
