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 South Africa Prepares for World Cup, ProstitutionPosted on Jul 16, 2008A plan to legalize sex work in time for South Africa’s 2010 World Cup has many in the country upset. While supporters believe criminalization puts women in harm’s way, religious groups and others argue that “family values” trump the interests of both the national economy and individual workers.
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By samosamo, June 16 at 10:35 pm #
michael,
I’m all tore up about your being offensed and what tha…?
Report thisYou have nothing better to do than dig up stuff from almost a year ago?
Maybe if you say 5 double extra prayers before bedtime, you will find tomorrow a better day.
Better yet, read naomi klein’s ‘the shock doctrine’ or read william black’s ‘the best way to rob a bank is to own one’ or jane mayer’s ‘the dark side’ or greg palast’s ‘armed madhouse’.
Those or any one of them should give you something to be ‘offensed’ about.
By Michael, June 15 at 2:58 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Samosamo, your comments I find offensive. Firstly you mention God (I notice you did not capitalise the ‘G’ in God). Since you mention God in your comment, let me tell you most people who do in fact believe in God and I am going to be specific here, the God whom the Christians worship believe that God sanctioned the physical act of intercourse to be enjoyed within the boundaries of a mutual loving and respectful relationship.
Unless you would like to be compared with animals.
Sex workers are generally exploited. Most of them (not all) are victims of poor homes and social injustices. I think if you gaze into your water, you might find a larger ratio of ‘Gin’.
Report thisBy Ipsi Dixit, December 5, 2008 at 12:34 pm #
...that the legalisation and regulation of prostitution is merely a belated recognition of human nature and the laws of supply and demand. If they do legalise it (which I very much doubt because of the baleful influence of the Christian and Muslim religions which Europeans and Arabs brought to Africa) then it can only be for the good; criminalising, stigmatising and pathologizing something that’s been going on from the year dot, that is clearly unenforceable, and that benefits both parties is both irrational and inhumane.
Report thisBy samosamo, July 16, 2008 at 9:49 pm #
Gee, in most people’s eyes god created man and woman(or a male and female representative for a lot of species)for the express purpose of sexual relations. And to help it along the way, a tremendous amount of pleasure is derived by sexual intercourse and with someone you would want to experience sexual intercourse with, and if that is just for the one on one mutual like of each or the idea that one would pay and pay be accepted for such a relation and no body is hurt, everybody is happy then what on earth is wrong with that? Oh, wait, I’m sorry, I forgot about that 3rd person sitting over there that is just reviled by the knowledge of 2 people physically enjoying each other. Christ, sounds like another natural function that needs hard strict regulating and penalties unless it is done by the book. And who better to regulate than the government with the guiding hand of religion, now that’s natural isn’t it?
Report thisWhat the hell did somebody put in the water? I mean it is ridiculous to think that all things natural need to be regulated, educated about, but not regulated. And to regulate the ability of someone to work a relatively stress free job with enough money and benefits(health) and time off to enjoy life; well, hell no. Can’t have that, too many free minds left to think really disturbs people with devious ideas of making life very uncomfortable for others, for their own selfish gains. I guess there really isn’t anything in the water, there are just too many people….....
By Nomikos, July 16, 2008 at 2:37 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
The eThekwini Municipalitys suggestion to legalize prostitution in certain areas of Durban, apparently for the 2010 Soccer World Cup shows a lack of understanding of the detailed problems involved, as well as a disregard for the victims of this primarily socio-economic driven, dehumanizing and inherently harmful practice.
Cape Town Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, criticized the idea saying that countries like the Netherlands regret having set up red light districts. Job Cohen, the mayor of Amsterdam, has commented extensively on the problems that the city experienced. Organized crime and human trafficking increased dramatically in the red light district. The Amsterdam City Council had to rethink the idea and deal drastically with the situation. Sweden also decriminalized prostitution but admitted their mistake and have since reversed the decision. There are other examples.
Experience has shown that if given a proper opportunity, that at least 80% of prostitutes would quit the lifestyle. The eThekweni Municipality should help to initiate, sponsor and coordinate a comprehensive exit program that supports the individual, provides proper skills training and facilitates the placement of the person into proper employment for gain. Trauma counseling and drug rehabilitation programs should be available when necessary.
Report thisInstead, the eThekwini Municipality seems to want to shirk its civic responsibility and skirt around the problem by promoting the legal prostitution of its residents in, red light areas. Legalizing prostitution is just legitimizing the abuse of societys most vulnerable members and provides a cover for organized crime, child prostitution and human trafficking. And just by the way - Durban is known to be one of the major entry and exit points for victims of human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation.
By felicity, July 16, 2008 at 2:21 pm #
So there are people in favor of putting a human being, a prostitute, in harm’s way because prostitution is ‘against God.’ Make prostitution legal to protect the prostitute is beside the point?
It’s really all about punishment, isn’t it.
Report this