The Big Issue

The Big Issue is a non-profit non-governmental organisation (NGO) and Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) which sells a monthly magazine that focuses on the big social issues of the day. We create jobs for unemployed, vulnerably housed and socially excluded adults who work for themselves by selling the magazine – they are micro-entrepreneurs and do not work for the Big Issue. Our Social Development Programme provides vendor support including vocational, life and business skills training and guidance counselling. The Big Issue aims to actively encourage and equip vendors to “move on” from this job creation project into formal economic activity.

What we do

We produce a unique, high-quality monthly consumer magazine focusing on the social issues of the day which SELF-EMPLOYED vendors buy for R12.50 and sell for R25.00, making R12.50 profit.

Provide Social Development services to vendors: Family Preservation and Counseling, Financial Literacy, English Literacy, HIV and health support, Art classes, Music classes, Crèche services (when funded), study bursaries, etc.

A “Move On” programme which endeavours to place up-skilled vendors informal employment.

What we offer

10 400 ABC-audited monthly sales and 40 000 monthly readership. Total readership circulation =  41 600 (10 000 x Readers per magazine of 4)

Consumers are LSM 8-10 / located in greater Cape Town metros (from Bantry Bay to CBD, Simonstown, Somerset West, Bellville, Tygerberg) /middle-class professionals, highly educated, strong media consumers, starter families, empty nesters

Sale & Distribution Pilot initiated in Port Elizabeth

Certified to issue Tax Exemption certificates for donations as we are a registered PBO

FREE advertising space as a thank you gesture for financial support

Contribute to company BBEEE scorecard

Contribute to Enterprise Development and Social Enterprise Development scorecards

Monthly Corporate Subscription for staff

22-year-old Job creation Project which has put R23m into vendors’ pockets

Success Vendor stories are published in our magazine every month. Or visit our website for vendor stories on www.bigissue.org.za

• Contact person

Paul Adriaanse (PE) 0813833396

Derek Carelse (CT) 0827887098

• Physical Address:

Cape Town office: Unit A057, The Palms, 145 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, Cape Town 8001

• Banking details for those who may wish to donate to you

Bank: Should you wish to donate

- Account Name Big Issue

- Account Number: 072027282

- Branch Code: 025609 / Standard Bank, Blue Route, Tokai,

Cape Town

- Account Type: Current

- Reference: Algoa Cares