Mobile showers help homeless

Nina Manzi (mother of water) – a bus converted into a mobile shower and an ablution facility, is servicing homeless people and went into full operation recently in Cape Town. The conversion offers 15-minute hot showers in exchange for vouchers earned through programmes run by an organisation called U-Turn. People living on the streets of the city struggle to access decent washing and toilet facilities.

Healthcare for our vendors

Volunteers are providing vital health services for our vendors, says Big Issue Social Worker
Tsephi Nhemachena.

A place to call home

South African photographer and journalist Masixole Feni captures homes, both lost and found, to promote social awareness.

A new (homeless) middle class

Homelessness in the United States has escalated to chronic levels since the Covid-19 pandemic. The number of people sleeping on the streets climbed to an estimated 226 000 in 2020, a rise of more than 50 000 in five years, states the US Department for Housing and Urban Development. In response, some cities are setting up legally authorised, ‘sanctioned’ encampments, with supporters saying they are safer than the streets, and critics saying they are part of a broader push to criminalise homelessness.

Exotic sounds of Egypt

Egyptian music sensation Dina El Wedidi, a former Rolex protégé and award winning artist, will be treating Baxter Theatre Centre audiences to two special performances on 30 September and 1 October.

Outwit, outlast

It’s said that people leave managers, not companies. But for many, it’s simply not feasible to leave a job in current economic circumstances. Impossible Bosses – Secret Strategies to Deal with 8 Archetypal Managers (published by Jonathan Ball), provides top strategies for dealing with awful bosses.

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As always, we value your feedback and would love to hear from you on this and other features in the magazine. Send your comments to bigissue@mikatekomedia.co.za