Captivating stories by South African women

August is Women’s Month, and the magazine says it couldn’t pass this opportunity to celebrate the remarkable journeys of several South African women.

Every woman featured in this issue has a captivating story to tell. Two of the women in this issue shared a special bond with President Nelson Mandela, whose legacy is celebrated every year on 18 July.

Desré Buirski

According to Issue #277, fashion designer Desré Buirski (page six) is proof that women can make their mark in just about any environment if given the space to dream and opportunities to flourish.

Maggie Oewies-Shongwe

The magazine puts the spotlight on Maggie Oewies-Shongwe (page eight), who demonstrated courage in the face of injustice and oppression during one of the darkest periods in South Africa’s history.

Amy Thornton

Humanitarian and activist Amy Thornton (page 16) made sacrifices, along with many other women, in service to South Africa, paving the way for young women to benefit from equal job opportunities today.

Saray Khumalo

Issue #277 gives a big shout out to Saray Khumalo, who, after three failed attempts to summit Mount Everest, finally succeeded to do so earlier this year (page 26).

"In doing so, she became the first black African woman to conquer Mount Everest. Her tenacity confirms that we do not have to be defined by our failures," says the team at The Big Issue.



Issue #277 is on sale from vendors in Cape Town from Saturday, 20 July to Monday, 19 August. Anyone outside Cape Town can buy the magazine here.

You can also buy The Big Issue with your smartphone here.


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