The Big Issue #274

• 20 October to 19 November 2018­­­­­­­­

One of the things that make South Africa great is that we have people from different walks of life who are doing great things for themselves, and others, in their respective corners of society. South African freestyle kitesurfing champion Michelle Sky Hayward is a sterling example of what one can achieve through perseverance and dedication. At 27, Michelle has made her mark in the kitesurfing arena, inspiring many other young women along the way (see page 6).

In Lavender Hill, which is a stone’s throw away from Muizenberg, volunteers from House of David Love Fellowship are fearlessly sharing the few resources they have with the needy in and around their community. Their generosity shows that one does not always need an overflow of finance to care for and improve the lives of others (see page 32). In only a few weeks, South Africans will cast their votes in the national elections, which will mark 25 years of democracy. While many have added their voices to various debates, we caught up with a few of our valued Big Issue vendors, and asked them about their take on the elections and what voting means to them (see page 26).

If you’re an aspiring astronaut, big or small, you’re in for a treat this month. Our Little Issue turns the spotlight on the space race and highlights, among other things, the early days of space exploration (see page 19).