Table of contents for Issue 321 2023 in The Big Issue

Our Constitution states the power is in our hands to put a stop to the cycle of abuse that sees our most vulnerable members of society suffering. Sadly, we often see terrible cases of abuse in disadvantaged communities, such as the deaths of the five- and six-year-old boys abducted and killed in Soweto in April 2023. Not only are these communities already facing dire socio-economic realities, but the immense violence some of the children are faced with is hard to imagine. In vulnerable communities, social workers play a vital role in assisting families to promote the overall psychosocial well-being of their children, supporting their rights, and promoting a sense of safety. A great example of a social worker fuelled purely by passion is The Love Trust's Elsie Lekana, a Social…

While many people rave about the ease and speed of supermarket food delivery services, others on social media rant about the numerous delivery motorbikes ploughing the city streets, calling them on Twitter the “new scourge of our country” and “lawless on the road”. Although Pick n Pay, Woolworths and other big stores also do deliveries, by far the most visible, on the streets of Cape Town at least, are the Checkers Sixty60 motorbikes. Other supermarkets do not offer the same time guarantee. Woolies Dash is a same-day delivery service for Woolworths, while Pick n Pay ASAP “strives” to get the order delivered in “as little as 60 minutes from when you place your order”. “The Sixty60 service guarantee [“no matter the weather”] gives customers their delivery for free if an…

The Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden in Worcester began operating its Braille Trail last year. It's the first of its kind in the country and is a universally accessible 154m route in the heart of the national botanical garden that allows people with disabilities, not only those with visual impairments, to enjoy the unique beauty of SA's arid and semi-arid flora. The trail features a variety of specimens that either have a beautiful fragrance or an interesting texture, or both. Visitors are invited to handle the plants, which are displayed in raised beds, so they are easy to access. The trail features comprehensive braille signage; is wheelchair accessible; offers an audio guide; and includes an interactive exhibition of the common rocks of the Karoo so visitors can touch, feel and…

NATIONAL ROADSHOW Singer/songwriter Louise Carver, a passionate advocate of South African music, has curated a 75-minute production that transcends ordinary shows. The show seamlessly blends iconic classics like Paradise Road & Weeping with newer hits & Louise's own chart-toppers, creating a tapestry of soulful ballads, rock anthems & vibrant rhythms. Date: 2 September to 1 October, various dates Venue: countrywide Tickets: from R190 www.webtickets.co.za www.louisecarver.com National MEET MARIANNE THAMM Veteran investigative journalist, columnist, author, satirist and stand-up comedian, Marianne Thamm, currently Associate Editor of the Daily Maverick, returns to The Baxter stage after 12 years, to present Round of Applause. Join the outspoken and respected commentator for an evening of conversation and comedy, celebrating the strengths of South Africa's democracy as she looks at South Africa's recent past. Date: 16…

[ THE BIG ISSUE ] ADAM JACOBS - FIRST DIARY ENTRY August to September 2023 I've always had this idea of what “coming of age” meant but could never quite articulate the feeling. In 2022, my two friends and I cycled up to Natures Valley in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). We split up for the last three days while I cycled and they hitchhiked their way up. I remember topping out on Garcia Pass, just outside Riversdale, on a road that looked as if it disappeared over the edge of the earth and everything just clicked. I have chosen to call my trip “Chasing Adam”. It's a play on chasing happiness and I believe the only true way to find solitude and liberate the mind is digging deep into the dark…

100 young innovators from around the world have gathered to bring their planet-positive ideas to life. A third of those selected are from Mzansi … July marked the start of be Visioneers, a one-of-a kind global fellowship for environmental action. Chosen from more than 1 000 applicants around the world, the first 100 young innovators, a third of whom are South African, are now embarking on a 12-month learning journey, equipping them to bring their planet-positive ideas to life. WHAT IS BEVISONEERS? beVisioneers is building the world's biggest global fellowship for young environmental innovators, with plans to expand to 1 000 ecopreneurs per year from around the world in 2025. beVisioneers selects its innovators, irrespective of background, with a strong focus on financial inclusion. Funded by donations from Mercedes-Benz, the…

The arrival of the healthy young quagga early this year was a milestone in an ambitious project, initiated by a dedicated group of conservationists in 1987, to breed an animal resembling the quagga as closely as possible. The original quagga was hunted to extinction in the second half of the 19th century and the last known mare died in Amsterdam Zoo in 1883. The young Vergelegen foal was born on 14 December last year after a 12-month gestation period. It was left undisturbed to bond with the other seven quagga and its sex has not yet been determined. “This youngster appears very relaxed and has been accepted as one of the herd,” says Eben Olderwagen, Environmental Project Manager at the 323-year-old estate. “It has grown about 15cm taller in a…

CROSSWORD SUDOKU Complete the grid so every row across, every column down and every 3×3 box is filled with the numbers 1 to 9. Across 1. Salt Lake City is the capital of this Mormon state (4) 3. Having a fragrant smell (8) 9. Containers used to feed babies (7) 10. Mayonnaise or Tabasco (5) 11. Make better or improve in quality (6) 12. Set in motion (5) 15. One circuit of a racetrack (3) 17. Cuban folk dance (5) 18. Golf peg (3) 19. Creative artistic activity (5) 20. Gesture that communicates information (6) 24. Capital of Vietnam (5) 25. Chickens, turkeys and ducks (7) 26. Tea flavoured with bergamot (4,4) 27. Small storage building (4) Down 1. Portable protection against rain (8) 2. Modify or change (5) 4.…

South Africa has five million people older than 60 (StatsSA). Many face discrimination, abuse and neglect. The South African government has yet to create the Healthy Ageing plan it signed up for as part of a United Nations initiative. Government has no structured approach to combat ageism, create age-friendly environments, and provide integrated and long-term care for older people. More than two years into the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing, the South African government has yet to finalise its action plan on how to help older people live healthier and happier lives. South Africa is a signatory to the Decade of Healthy Ageing (spanning from 2021 to 2030) that aims to bring member countries together to meet the needs of older people. It follows the concept of “active ageing”,…

MEALIE BREAD Ingredients 1 large can creamed sweetcorn (440g) 2 beaten eggs ½ teaspoon of salt 4 tablespoons of melted margarine 4 tablespoons of milk 350 grams of self-raising flour You need A wooden spoon A big bowl A baking tin Oven set at 170°C Method 1. Put the sweetcorn, eggs, salt, milk and half the margarine into a bowl. Mix it together. 2. Add the flour. Mix it in with a spoon. 3. Bake at 170°C for about 45 minutes until it is golden brown. Ask a grown-up to help. 4. Brush or pour the melted margarine over the top after it is baked. GET A GROWN-UP TO HELP WITH THE OVEN.…

[ TRAVEL ] As a responsible driver, you want to make sure that your insured car is covered wherever, whenever, and however you're thinking of driving. However, cross-border travel comes with different checks and balances, and you need to be aware of them for your car to be protected before leaving South Africa. These are what you need to legally drive across the border and be protected: CROSS-BORDER LETTER It's your responsibility as the driver to inform your insurer that you will be crossing the country's border, and it's the insurer's responsibility to inform you of what you will be covered for in the event of an accident, a breakdown or a car getting stolen in the country you're driving to. Your insurance policy has features that apply to the…

[ COMMUNITY ] [ THE BIG ISSUE ] The proposed 300-bed Safe Space for homeless people in Green Point, Cape Town is one step closer to being realised. This week, the North West Municipal Planning Tribunal voted to give permission for the temporary use of part of a municipal depot. On 4 July, tribunal members voted four to one to allow part of the municipal depot on Ebenezer Road, currently used for storage, to be converted into a Safe Space for people living on the streets of Green Point. The property is underneath an elevated freeway. Faren Benting, Case Officer for the application, says it has gone through an extensive public participation process. She says 16 submissions in favour have been received and 65 against. Nazlie du Toit of the City's…