Creating Opportunity Through Enterprise
The Big Issue is a registered NPO that creates opportunity for people who are excluded from the formal job market.
The work of The Big Issue extends far beyond magazine sales. Through a network of social programmes, the organisation supports vendors and their families with education, housing improvements, health services and skills development.
Vendors purchase copies of the magazine and sell them to the public, earning a direct income from every sale. Today, 50% of the cover price goes straight to the vendor.
These programmes are designed to strengthen stability, build skills and confidence, and create practical pathways to a better future.
The work of The Big Issue extends far beyond magazine sales.
Through a network of social programmes, the organisation supports vendors and their families in these key areas of impact:
Learning and employment opportunities
Health and wellbeing support
Housing improvements
Family and youth development
Food security initiatives
Vendors of the Month
Each month we highlight the stories of vendors who earn a living by selling The Big Issue.
These stories share the journeys, challenges and achievements of the people who have become part of The Big Issue community.
the little issue
Our sister magazine, the litte issue, is a DBE curriculum aligned magazine for children in grades R – 3.
Sold by on-street vendors in major Cape Town metropoles and distributed for free to schools across the country and beyond, the magazine aims to tackle the illiteracy issue faced by our population.
Find your favourite vendor below and help them out!
If you cannot find your favourite vendor or if they do not have a snapscan code please donate to the big issse with their name or sales location as a reference.
Download Snapscan
