Donald Paul has a Big Issue

“I am extremely pleased to have Donald on board permanently,” says MD Trudy Vlok. “Since Donald's appointment as acting editor in May, The Big Issue magazine has grown from strength to strength, and has gone through a remarkable transformation. His appointment marks a milestone in the magazine's production,” said Vlok.

Together with deputy editor Bronwen Dyke, design manager Justine Sibomana and some hardworking interns, Paul has revamped the magazine's editorial content and its overall look and feel. The magazine's re-launch at a celebratory bash at Spier in June was reported to be a huge success.

“Working at The Big Issue suits my eclectic way of thinking about the world. I don't have a fixed perfect vision of how the world should be, but at the same time I want to maintain a sense of wonder about the world, and The Big Issue provides that for me,” said Paul.

“Privilege”

“It's a privilege to be a part of this team. The energy and commitment of those who work here is something you do not find often in corporate organisations. Their drive gives me faith that we can make a difference, even if it is on a local scale.”

Paul stressed that he wanted the readers to buy The Big Issue because it is a good read and not because they see the magazine as a guilt-buy. To do this requires them to make a good magazine that is entertaining as well as informative. “At the end of the day, if the magazine doesn't sell, a vendor doesn't eat. That tends to focus your editorial thinking,” he said.

Paul points out that it is simply too easy to run angry commentary of social injustices: what The Big Issue seeks to do is tackle the big issues and provide constructive solutions to them.

Ultimate goal

Paul's ultimate goal with The Big Issue is to enter into partnerships with more corporates and advertisers. “The Big Issue's merit lies in its editorial strength and its unique method of distribution. It is about street trade not street aid,” Paul said.

“Hopefully The Big Issue magazine can be running self-sufficiently within the next 10 years with any peripheral funding going directly to our social programmes,” he added.

Further plans for the magazine are to extend its distribution in the Cape Town area, to draw in more young readers and to extend its reach to more tourists in the city centre.