Tabla de contenidos para Issue 309 2022 en The Big Issue

When Heart 104.9 FM’s talk show host Aden Thomas posted a video of himself engaged in a fun gentleman’s tennis match with friend Rodney Scara Brown on social media recently – the court markings chalked out on the streets of Portland, Mitchells Plain – it was clear to see, along with his entertaining narration, that our streets can be a place for social interaction, much like those in many first-world countries. Five thousand people ‘loved’ Aden’s post, including Barry Hilton, who gave it a heart sticker. Interestingly, I’d viewed this directly after reading a Facebook chat by a large group of people reminiscing about having once played safely in the streets, three decades ago. It was in stark contrast to Aden’s post. Yes, lifestyles are one of the things that…

I was 11 when I first visited a homeless shelter with my mother, who in her own inimitable style was determined to shine a light on an overlooked, misunderstood problem. The Big Issue had launched just two years before, offering people the opportunity to earn a legitimate income by selling a magazine to the public and providing a solution to the issues that saw a growing number of people on the streets of the nation’s capital. In the 30-odd years since, I’ve seen countless projects in this space grow from strength to strength, including charities of which I have had the honour of being Patron. New initiatives have been launched up and down the country – some have worked, some have not. But The Big Issue, perhaps now the most…

BIC, a world leader in stationery, lighters and shavers, has recently announced the kickoff of its flagship art competition, Art Master Africa, now in its fifth year. The competition invites talent from across Africa and the Middle East to express their creativity by producing artwork using the iconic BIC Cristal Ball Pen. This year’s theme, Celebrating Africa, tasks artists with creating artworks that represent their personal identity as well as their unique perceptions of the African continent and its diverse cultures. We asked ballpoint pen artist Thuso ‘West’ Modikela (one of the top-ten competitors of Art Master Africa, 2021) all about his experience in entering, and achieving recognition from the art world. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF I am 27-years old and I’m from Phokeng in Rustenburg, in the North West…

Clare Stewart was born in South Africa but grew up, and lived for different lengths of time, in Lesotho, Malawi and Kenya, the US, UK and Ireland before returning to SA in the 70s. A single white mother of two mixed-race children living in Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal) during the height of apartheid faction fighting, she was recruited by Ronnie Kasrils into the ANC’s armed wing Umkhonto weSizwe (MK). Aware of the dangers she faced as an ANC activist, she’d asked her sister Rachel to take care of her children should the worst happen. Soon after, on 10 November 1993, Clare went missing... What made you want to write Clare’s story and what did you feel you had in common with the storyline? Clare’s story came to me, and then stuck…

A Durbanite who, enviably, rattles off Zulu as if it’s his first language, Kevin Fraser can out-dance the best pantsulas. His ‘Africanised’ comedy style is borne from a loving relationship with the woman who helped raise him – Anna, his childhood babysitter. From his ridiculous characters who ‘work the tills’ at SA supermarkets, his astute observations of everyday South Africans should make you laugh. At yourself. Kevin brings all races together with his brand of humour. With nearly half a million online subscribers and the ability to get bums in theatre seats, he has taken SA ‘culturalisms’ and made them go global. Currently on tour in Australia and on his way around Canada next, you can catch Kevin on stage in South Africa from November to December this year in…

The Big Issue, South Africa’s only street magazine. Fish Hoek, Cape Town Name: Bongani Pholo Vendor number: 1280 Find him at: Long Beach Mall, Fish Hoek About: 37-year-old Bongani lives in Khayelitsha with his wife and two children, aged two and 18. He began selling The Big Issue in 2003, but even though he enjoys selling the magazine, he says that getting buyers is becoming increasingly difficult because he is getting fewer customers by the day. Hopes and dreams: He would like to become a driver, since he has a Code 10 licence, and to sell The Big Issue during his spare time. Wish list: Bongani used to sell fruit and vegetables before becoming a vendor. He would like to start a farming business to grow his own produce and…

Less than a week after tens of thousands packed The Mall and a global audience of hundreds of millions celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with the royal family, Prince William is standing outside a supermarket and passers-by are passing by. He’s still wearing a bright red uniform like he had on for Trooping the Colour and watching the noisy flypast. But instead of a ceremonial military outfit and medals, it’s a Big Issue tabard and badge. Next to him stands Dave Martin, a veteran vendor who volunteered to show the Duke of Cambridge the ropes and give a glimpse into the life of a Big Issue vendor. Only a 15-minute walk from Buckingham Palace, Dave knows this pitch well. A decade ago, Rochester Row in Victoria was one of the…

Art Master Africa is open to talent across the Middle East and Africa region. You can enter the competition by submitting up to three original artworks interpreting the theme Celebrating Africa. Submissions will be reviewed and shortlisted by a panel of judges including artists, professors, collectors, and the winners of the 2019 and 2021 competitions – Gayi Eric and Oscar Ukonu. Once the judging phase is completed in September, winners will be announced and celebrated. First, second, and third place competition winners will be named Africa’s Art Masters, and will receive cash prizes of USD 500, 1 000 and 2000 (from about R8 000 to R33 000), respectively. The first place regional winner will also receive an online personal gallery and get the opportunity to join the BIC Art Collection…

Today’s children and teenagers seem troubled. Certain childhood psychiatric disorders like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are diagnosed more often than in the past. A wide range of recent neurobiological, epidemiological, psychological, psychiatric, and other research has revealed some interesting findings about why some of today’s children might be more stressed and unhappy than they used to be. The findings depend on which children are being examined under what circumstances, in what areas and by whom. The developing minds of children are strongly influenced by the environment in which they are being raised. This environmental context includes home and school life, socioeconomic conditions, race, geographical location, civil unrest, crime, and circumstances that arise out of politics and governance. In South Africa there is a wide…

It’s a widely known phenomenon that men struggle with vulnerability. This is, in part, owing to the way masculinity is presented on television shows, movies and from societal expectations. Men and boys are socialised to believe that vulnerability is weakness that men can’t afford to show. This way of thinking has been proven to have many flaws. Contemporarily, this is a phenomenon that’s being sought to be changed as we now understand that there are vast benefits to men being vulnerable. RIPPLE EFFECTS IN COMMUNITIES These benefits include a reduction in sexual violence, traffic accidents, suicides, binge drinking, and depressive symptoms among men. Getting rid of the beliefs that continuously exert pressure among males to behave within specific masculine norms has ripple effects in our communities, as this reduces some…

young minds matter WHY IS LITTLE SISTER SO EXCITED? It’s family photo day! SPOT THE DIFFERENCE! Can you find the differences between the proteas? They look the same but they aren’t. Enjoy your free sample of the little issue magazine Buy YOUR copy of little issue at select Spar, CNA and Pick n Pay stores NATIONWIDE excluding the greater metros of Cape Town Stories • Activities • Recipes • Jokes • Riddles • Competitions Story: Family Photo There are many different kinds of families. All are beautiful and perfect in their own way. Little Sister is very excited today! Everyone in her family is very excited too. Can you guess why they are all excited? It is Gogo’s birthday and they are going to have a party! Mama calls to…

Here’s the Thing is a new collection of thought-provoking essays from Haji Mohamed Dawjee. Filled with stories and insights that are contemplative, comedic and controversial, you’ll find a touching letter to her father, the honest truth about the pain in the arse that is parenting, and ponderings about struggling with a modern world filled with cancel culture and the controversies of appreciating the wrong artists. There is also a serving of the many wise lessons the game of tennis has to offer, as well as hilarious insights and observations on dustbins – yes, you read that right – and ageing, that ring true. Here’s the Thing is entertaining, soothingly self-deprecating and, at times, morally challenging. A SHORT ESSAY EXTRACTED FROM HERE’S THE THING, COURTESY OF PAN MACMILLAN SOUTH AFRICA. Women’s…