Hello 

Create Profile

Creating your profile will enable you to submit photos and stories to get published on News24.


Please provide a username for your profile page:

This username must be unique, cannot be edited and will be used in the URL to your profile page across the entire 24.com network.

Settings

Location Settings

News24 allows you to edit the display of certain components based on a location. If you wish to personalise the page based on your preferences, please select a location for each component and click "Submit" in order for the changes to take affect.









Facebook Sign-In

Hi News addict,

Join the News24 Community to be involved in breaking the news.

Log in with Facebook to comment and personalise news, weather and listings.

 
 

Hard times for sex workers

2005-12-23 21:55
line

Pietermaritzburg - Sex workers here will not be upping their rates this festive season as business has already dropped substantially this month, with many of their clients having spent their bonuses on presents or left the city on holiday.

In contrast, work in the province's coastal resorts is booming, especially with holidaymakers streaming down from Gauteng since many schools closed on December 2.

"Business is terrible," said a woman who works from a bed and breakfast establishment in the Pietermaritzburg central business district.

Stressed

"November was very busy but things started getting quiet about a week ago. Maybe its because they are spending on Christmas presents instead or they are going on holiday," she said.

"We are all very stressed over money now,".

She described some Christmases as surprisingly very busy and others as quiet, but could not say why this was. While she expects business to start picking up in the first or second week of January, she is looking around for other work.

"I'm trying to leave the job. I would prefer doing anything else but life is life," she said.

Ups and downs

A woman who works at a lodge in the CBD and earns up to R5 000-R6 000 a week if she works hard, said business was good most of this year but it went quiet suddenly a week ago. Some of her regular clients have told her they will be away on holiday over the festive season.

"Our business is like any other - it has good months and bad months. I've spoken to some of my friends and they also say it's quiet. Last year December was quiet too but I've heard that Durban is busy now," she said.

A blonde 28-year-old who works from a house in Montrose and who described her clients as mostly local and "very decent people", said she would not be increasing her rates over the festive season, even though many people will be getting bonuses this month.

"October and November were very busy but this December has been very, very quiet, maybe because people are on holiday," she said.

Feast or famine

However, for a woman who works from her home in an upmarket area in the city, servicing clients mostly from other cities, business is "buzzing".

"I am having a bumper festive season. Business is very, very good. December is my busiest time. I don't want to boast but there is always a need for this sex work," she said.

"On one day I earned R3 900 but my target is at least R1 000 a day.

"I've been in this business for 11 years and it's a hard job, talking on the phone, bathing in between and getting dressed. Some people are very aggressive," she said. "However, she expects business to slow down by the end of January or early February, possibly because her clients have spent most of their money over the festive season and on school fees.

inside news24

 
1 of 10

140
1

Latest comment in South Africa

Sharmay says... And you want him to lead you? If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen! Read the article...

 
Traffic
Lottery
 
  • Friday Carletonville - 10:01 AM
    Road name: N14
    ROAD CLOSED due to a large sink-hole between the two Carletonville exits - traffic is diverted onto a local bypass route
  • Sunday Volksrust - 07:33 AM
    Road name: N11 Both Ways
    Stop / go controls for construction works at Majuba Pass - expect delays between Volksrust and Newcastle
  • Monday Centurion - 15:41 PM
    Road name: Jean Avenue
    ROAD CLOSED between Rabie Street and Gerhard Street for sink hole repair works
 
More traffic reports...
 

Jobs [change area]

Cars[change area]

NISSAN

Almera 160 Luxury AT
2005
R 89,995.00

BMW

X5 xDRIVE30d DYNAMIC AT
2011
R 775,000.00

JEEP

Cherokee Limited 3.7 4x4 AT
2002
R 165,800.00

Property [change area]

Travel - Look, Book, Go!

Romance at the President

Spend two nights at the Protea Hotel President in Cape Town from R2601 per person sharing. Includes return flights, taxes, car hire and accommodation. Book Now!

Kalahari.com - shop online today

The Big Mama Sale

The Big Mama Sale is now on. Get up to 80% off Books, Music, DVDs, Games, Electronics, Toys & Gifts. Shop now.

Electronics on Sale

Up to 80% off electronics + 24hr delivery. Shop now.

50% Off Educo toys

Join the Big Mama Sale madness at kalahari.com and get 50% off all Educo toys for your kids. Terms and conditions apply. Shop now.

Books on Sale

Up to 80% off books & 1000s Of books to choose from. First come, first served. While stocks last. Shop now.

Blu-ray special offer

Buy 10 blu-rays and get a free Sony blu-ray player. Offer valid while stocks last. Shop now.

OLX Free Classifieds [change area]

Drain & Pipe Inspection System

For Sale, Garage Sale in South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg. Date January 21

2011 Mazda 2 1.5 Dynamic

Vehicles, Cars in South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg. Date January 22

Estimator

Jobs, Engineering Jobs - Architecture Jobs in South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg. Date January 21

The Big Mama Sale

The Big Mama Sale is now on. Get up to 80% off Books, Music, DVDs, Games, Electronics, Toys & Gifts. Shop now.

Visit www.kalahari.com for millions of books, music, DVDs, games & more!

BlackBerry Bold 9700

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone has a large, hi-res screen...

From R2800.00

I'm shopping for:

A local community where you can meet people, upload photos, videos and loads more...
There are new stories on the homepage. Click here to see them.