The Big Issue looks at the end

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"Amid all the 'end cometh' prophecies, we thought we'd have some fun by commissioning cartoonist Gavin Thomson to illustrate a Mayan calendar cover with a South African twist," said Melany Bendix, editor of The Big Issue.

"This is a unique and quirky cover that is sure to have readers spinning it around and around to find all the 12 big issues we predict will be the most predominant in SA during 2012," Bendix said.

12 big issues

The 12 big issues are also laid out in black and white inside the magazine, with each prediction - ranging from the ANC leadership battle to high speed internet access - backed up by expert commentary and opinion.

Moving away from the doomsday hype, the early January edition takes a look at how wooden surfboards - a more eco-friendly alternative to polyurethane and polystyrene boards - are making waves at Cape Town's beaches and features an interview with modern day one-man folk band, Jeremy Loops, which is fast becoming a local sensation with his loop machine, which he uses to record musical layers of guitar, ukulele and harmonica.

Plenty of humour, massive wins

The magazine provides plenty of humour in the form of comic strips from Treknet and satirists ZA News, as well as opinion columns from Amy Jephta and Sipho Hlongwane.

It has also lined up eight massive wins for readers, ranging from a spoil at The Spa at 12 Apostles worth R5000 to shark cage diving with the White Shark Diving Company.

"There really is something for everyone, so I'd like to encourage all Capetonians to support their nearest vendor and get a great read while doing a good deed."

To preview the new edition, go to www.bigissue.org.za.