Past Issues :: 2007 February 1 :: Street News Service: South Africans Mourn Slain Activist
South Africans mourn slain former street paper director
Richard Ishmail, the former managing director of The Big Issue
South Africa, passed away tragically in Cape Town on Wednesday,
Jan. 10.
Richard had been on life support in Groote Schuur hospital for several days after being stabbed in his Woodstock home on Jan. 6.
Police are investigating, but at the time of going to press no arrests have been made.
The news of his passing has left former colleagues at The Big Issue in a state of shock and deep sadness. He will be remembered as a tireless leader who was deeply committed to the cause of poverty alleviation, and also as a warm and generous man who lived life to the fullest. Richard was a pleasure to work with, and we all miss the sound of his laughter and his quirky sense of humour.
He had enormous energy and drive — traits that are vital to heading up an organisation such as The Big Issue — and his door was always open if you had a problem that needed to be addressed.
Under his direction The Big Issue continued to grow, and as the driving force behind the 2006 Homeless World Cup street soccer tournament in Cape Town, he raised our profile to new heights. Shortly after the successful completion of the Homeless World Cup, Richard left The Big Issue to pursue his own business interests.
Richard was also a founding member and former chairman and CEO of the Sithengi Film Festival, and played a pivotal role in establishing the Film Resource Unit in Johannesburg.
Prior to the advent of democracy in South Africa, he was a valued member of the ANC’s Umkhonto weSizwe, and helped transport money and weapons to the Ashley Kriel unit in Cape Town. His MK colleagues remember him as a dedicated activist who was always there for people.
Mel Young, President of the Homeless World Cup and Honorary President of the International Network of Street Papers spoke on behalf of both organisations: “We are all extremely shocked and upset by the death, and the circumstances of the death, of Richard Ishmail. Richard worked hard locally to bring the Homeless World Cup to Cape Town, to raise awareness of the issues around homelessness and highlight the power of sport to bring unity, peace and opportunity to the nation. As managing director of The Big Issue South Africa he actively represented the organization at the last two INSP conferences in Montreal and Buenos Aires. Our love and thoughts are with Richard’s family and friends.”
Big Issue vendor Thando Mbana said Richard “was a nice guy, my friend, if I needed anything I could go to him. He was so down to earth I thought he was just an employee, I never knew he was my boss."
