In South Africa: 40,000 Sex Workers, 1 Billion Condoms and the World Cup
When South Africa plays host to the World Cup next month, experts expect some 40,000 sex workers from countries including Russia, Congo, and Nigeria will be on hand to cater to the roughly 400,000
But in a country where an estimated one in five adults is HIV-positive, safety is essential. "If they don't know where to go, they can end up in trouble," said Henry Africa, a Cape Town taxi driver whose "Bright Red Tour" will shuttle customers to strip bars and to safe-sex practicing prostitutes -- for a $500 fee.
The government is on board as well. During an official visit to the United Kingdom in March, President Jacob Zuma requested that 1 billion condoms be supplied to South Africa before the tournament. Britain is sending 42 million condoms, a figure that would give every South African one condom, or every World Cup tourist 100.
The Cape tourism board has issued a code to try and temper sex tourism. Children across South Africa are being educated about the dangers of World Cup-related sex trafficking, and HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns have been launched countrywide.
Still, the concern remains that so many rowdy soccer fans in such a high-prevalence area could result in an increase in HIV infections upon return to their home countries. "Scarlet," a Congolese prostitute who came to Cape Town last month, said she mostly uses condoms unless men pay her extra not to. "Men don't like condoms," she said.
When South Africa plays host to the World Cup next month, experts expect some 40,000 sex workers from countries including Russia, Congo, and Nigeria will be on hand to cater to the roughly 400,000
But in a country where an estimated one in five adults is HIV-positive, safety is essential. "If they don't know where to go, they can end up in trouble," said Henry Africa, a Cape Town taxi driver whose "Bright Red Tour" will shuttle customers to strip bars and to safe-sex practicing prostitutes -- for a $500 fee.
The government is on board as well. During an official visit to the United Kingdom in March, President Jacob Zuma requested that 1 billion condoms be supplied to South Africa before the tournament. Britain is sending 42 million condoms, a figure that would give every South African one condom, or every World Cup tourist 100.
The Cape tourism board has issued a code to try and temper sex tourism. Children across South Africa are being educated about the dangers of World Cup-related sex trafficking, and HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns have been launched countrywide.
Still, the concern remains that so many rowdy soccer fans in such a high-prevalence area could result in an increase in HIV infections upon return to their home countries. "Scarlet," a Congolese prostitute who came to Cape Town last month, said she mostly uses condoms unless men pay her extra not to. "Men don't like condoms," she said.
