THE BIG ISSUE #354 is out NOW and with the change of season, for this month’s art session the theme is Spring. In the outer world we see flowers blossoming and the sun brings warmth.
Spring can also be a time of new beginnings, a time to make inner changes and acknowledge your growth
Xolisa Ntunta
Xoliswa Ntunta is the featured Vendor Artist in THE BIG ISSUE #354
Xoliswa Ntunta – Was born in Maclear/Nqanqarhu Eastern Cape into a family of five boys and two girls. She attended school and completed Standard 9. In 1981 she married and relocated to Cape Town, where she worked as a domestic worker for two years. In 1983 and 1984, she returned to the Eastern Cape and stayed in Zwelitsha, where she gave birth to her children.
In 1986, she returned to Cape Town and lives in Khayelitsha with her husband, 6 children, and grandchildren. Her husband was previously a Big Issue Vendor, and she has been a Big Issue Vendor for 22 years.
Before becoming a vendor she worked at a nursery in Stellenbosch and at a bamboo factory sewing curtains. Her long-term goal is to strengthen her sewing and beading skills and establish her own sewing business as a source of income.
Xoliswa attends the Big Issue art sessions regularly, her work has often been featured in the magazine and has sold paintings. She sells the magazine at Constantia Village.
Her painting is titled: “Fruit Tree”.
Xoliswa Ntunta, Fruit Tree
The other Vendor Artists
- Elsie Ntsini – Spring flower
- Solomon Masoso – Sprouting petals
- Yoliswa Vanda – My Home
- Zoliwe Makhafana – Beautiful flower
- Thabo Ntloko – Aloe Vera
- Elsie Ntsini Solomon Masoso Yoliswa Vanda
- Zoliwe Makhafana Thabo Ntloko
- We are delighted to see the article “Like A Windsong”, about the 32nd Cape Town International Kite Festival that takes place on 24 and 25 October at Youngsfield Military Base in Ottery, This Spring Event is hosted by Cape Mental Health with its message of hope, resilience and connection!
Bridging the cashless divide
The Big Issue #342 introduced you to ‘Empowering South Africa’s informal economy with Tip4Change‘. You can do a good deed:
• Use QR codes to pay informal workers without carrying cash
• Keep apps like SnapScan or Zapper ready for small transactions
The cost of the artwork is R350.00 – R300 goes to the Artist R50 to the art programme.
To acquire a work E This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The work can also be see at the Noordhoek Art Point Gallery. “Pop in, have a look, and help support our local stars”
WHAT: Vendor Artists – THE BIG ISSUE #354
WHERE: Available from your favourite vendor across the city. Anyone outside the city of Cape Town can buy the magazine nationally at selected Spar and Pick n Pay stores. Anyone outside of Cape Town can also buy the magazine here.
Don’t forget: you can buy The Big Issue with your smartphone! Visit for a step-by-step guide.
INFO: E This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Visit | Editorial: Editor Ingrid Jones, 021-461-6690 | Advertising/Marketing: Derek Carelse at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
