Legalized Prostitution in South Africa for the World Cup?

Durban's Senzangakhona Stadium

Durban, South Africa may legalize prostitution for the FIFA World Cup in 2010. This possible legislation was initiated way back in January by George Lekgetho, a member of SA Parliament, and argued that prostitution is legal in Germany, the 2006 World Cup Host, and that legalization would mean less rape and “added tax revenue.” Although most of his peers laughed off the idea back then, it is slowly gaining ground in SA due to a fairly large prostitution population for the nation’s third largest city and that legalization advocates claim would better be protected if their work was legalized.

This could be true, but many of the working girls are at the mercy of their pimps and will probably end up just as neglected as before. My opinions after the link.

While legalization could protect these girls, I think the only people that are going to see a benefit are the pimps and the government that collects taxes on the prostitution. There is also another major issue with legalizing prostitution in South Africa. The ridiculous AIDS rate in the country would be a huge barrier to get over. I don’t really see an effective way to get around the AIDS issue. Do you only legalize the uninfected workers thus providing a license to perform? Where would the money come from for testing all these girl and what happens if they don’t pass the test? I would assume they would just go back to performing illegally, thus making the whole situation a waste.

I am against this legislation from multiple standpoints. Morally I don’t approve of prostitution, I don’t think many do. From a political and economical standpoint I feel that it is too much effort with not enough benefits for the SA government. I say police it as much as you can, but any risk that a person makes by purchasing the entertainment is just that, a huge risk of STDs and the potential of being caught by the SA authorities and being at the mercy of the government there. All I have to say is if you gotta have ‘it,’ wrap it before you tap it. Maybe even wrap it twice. Please don’t help spread any STDs, especially HIV/AIDS, the epidemic is already out of control and we must do everything we can to help everyone we can.

For more HIV/AIDS awareness/prevention campaigns check out the following:

(RED) Campaign

46664 – Nelson Mandela’s HIV/AIDS awareness/prevention campaign

Global Justice