The latest edition on sale Friday 27 January to Thursday 16 February 2012 proves local is very lekker.
Featuring Tamara Dey, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ben Trovato, Refiloe Seseane & the African Wrestling Association
Local entertainment and household names fill the pages of the late January edition of The Big Issue, which features a top South African musician, an actress-turned-philanthropist, a top literary figure, an icon…and SA’s hardcore pro wrestling league.
First up is cover star Tamara Dey, lead singer of Indie-Pop-Dance group Flash Republic. In a candid tell-all interview, the former First Lady of Kwaito reveals how and why she’s reinvented herself during her ever-changing life and music career.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu then picks up his pen to write a letter about his younger self. In this exclusive feature The Arch tells of his greatest influences, his regrets and what he would do differently if he had it to do all over again.
The Big Issue also caught up with television actress, Refiloe Seseane, to uncover the truth about the star’s alter ego as a trail-blazing social entrepreneur. Seseane talks about her involvement with 18twenty8, an award-winning NGO which works to help disadvantaged young women achieve in their business and professional lives.
South Africa’s top satirist, Ben Trovato, has been terrorising politicians, corporations and the general populace with his trademark bullwhip and scathing satire for 25 years now. Shortly after the release of his 10th book, The Whipping Boy, The Big Issue grilled him about the trappings of fame, the fine art of political correctness and swimming with sharks.
From satire to smackdowns, the edition then changes tack to offer a massive 10-page feature on the African Wrestling Association, complete with photos that will knock readers out. This isn’t your average sports feature, though; it takes readers deep into the bloody bowels of the sub-culture of SA pro wrestling and the people behind the characters in the ring.
“The Big Issue has always prided itself on showcasing local talent, personalities and people making social change,” said editor Melany Bendix. “This edition is a great example of the glut of talent and interesting stories right on our doorstep, proving that we don’t need to court international names and news to make headlines that sell.”
She added: “The edition’s not all entertainment based, though. As usual we cover a wide variety of news and put the spotlight on some ‘big issues’ through our special reports.”
These include reports on rising tensions in Zimbabwe over the growing number of Chinese businesses setting up shop across our border; how hundreds of NGOs are at risk of closing this year due to funding cuts; why a plan to introduce HIV testing at high schools has been put on ice; and how Human Rights Watch has slammed local authorities for failing to take strong action on corrective rape in South Africa’s townships.
“This is in addition to witty and incisive opinion columns, music and literature reviews and a heads-up on what’s happening in the art and theatre world over the coming weeks,” said Bendix. “And readers can find out more about the vendors they support by buying the magazine in the regular Vendor’s Corner section.”
To preview the new edition, log onto the website www.bigissue.org.za on Friday January 27.
For more information, contact:
Marketing and media:
Angie McErlean
021-0 / /
Editorial:
Melany Bendix
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