Blessers and sugar daddies are to blame for KwaZulu-Natal's high rates of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases among young women in the province.
That’s according to KZN health MEC Ms Nomagugu Simelane, who was scathing of old men she says are “destroying the nation” through the sexual exploitation of girls aged between 15 and 24.
Speaking on Friday — after World Aids Day on December 1 — Simelane revealed the these departmental statistics between January and October this year:
- Out of 727,466 women between the ages of 15 to 24 who got tested for HIV in KZN, 15,665 tested positive. Though this amounts to a positivity rate of 2%, the MEC says more than 15,000 young women testing positive for HIV is extremely worrying;
- At least 15 girls aged between 10 and 14 were found to have STIs;
- A further 322 girls aged between 15 and 19 also tested positive for STIs.
- An additional 702 women between the ages of 20 and 24 were found to have STIs.
- Within the same period, 6,417 pregnant women tested positive for syphilis (a potentially life-threatening disease that can cause premature delivery; severe damage to the heart, brain or other organs.) This is already higher than the 4,147 women who tested positive for syphilis during the whole 2021/22 financial year.
“Our provincial statistics paint a shocking picture about HIV and STIs among girls and young women in our province. It is concerning, and underscores the urgency with which society needs to help us turn this situation around.”
She described the so-called blessers and sugar daddies — older men, who prey on young girls sexually in exchange for money or gifts, infect them with diseases — including HIV — impregnate them, then cast them away.
“If you’re a young girl and in a relationship with someone as old as your father, that relationship is not equal. You won’t be able to negotiate safe sex and say, ‘Please protect me and protect yourself.’ This is an older person, and chances are, he has money. So you become dependent on them.
The best way to change your life is to get an education. When you get an education and secure yourself a job, you’ll be able to afford all of these things.
— KZN health MEC Ms Nomagugu Simelane
“We’re saying phansi ngama-blesser, phansi ... phansi ngo-sugar daddy phansi ... They must go to their age mates. If they continue sleeping with these young girls, they’re destroying our nation. These are the mothers of tomorrow ... the homemakers who must take the nation forward. If we don’t protect them, our nation will not prosper.
“We are also saying to girls, don’t look at who’s carrying an iPhone or Samsung ... or wearing a nine-inch weave. These are the kinds of pressures that steer our children towards these blessers ... because they have the financial means to lure them and buy them these things.
“It is vital for our children to be content and live within their means. The best way to change your life is to get an education. When you get an education and secure yourself a job, you’ll be able to afford all of these things, whereas if you want to jump the gun and get these things too early, you’ll have a problem.”
Simelane urged young women to either abstain from sex or condomise and encouraged conversations around sexuality in households.
“We’re encouraging parents or guardians to get more involved in initiating and deepening the conversation with their children about sex, sexuality and the dangers of sexually transmitted infections. It’s never an easy conversation, but it’s one that needs to happen.”
The department unveiled a new street billboards HIV messaging campaign targeting youngsters.
The new billboards carry messages such as:
- I-Skoon Siyabhayizisa — Condomise;
- Sihamba Ngolayini: Sidla Ama-ARV Waya-Waya, Sihlale Si-Sharp; and
- Cupha Isisoka Bhinca Lami, Ukhuphuke NgoShuni we-Condom
She said: “The billboards are catchy and carry fresh messaging. We felt that it was important to change our messaging and speak to young people in a way they understand. I’ve been stopped several times by people intrigued by these billboards. We’ve started a conversation, and that’s precisely what we set out to do. That is one way we can begin to engender behavioural change.”
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