AN estimated 500 sex workers at Walvis Bay are defying the odds and carrying on with business as usual – despite prostitution being illegal, and the harbour town having the highest HIV prevalence rate (28 per cent) in the country.
Their main customers are foreign fishermen.
The Namibian interviewed three prostitutes to shed some light on the ‘undercover’ business and why the women take the risks they do.
For their protection, they will be referred to as ‘Carol’, ‘Renate’ and ‘Louise’.
Louise has been in the business for more than 10 years, while Carol and Renate have about a year’s experience.
According to them, prostitution is ‘big’ at Walvis Bay, and the workforce includes men, women and transsexuals. Ages are between 15 and 50, with 15 to 30 being the most popular age with customers.
Although there are several types of prostitution, the most common approach at Walvis Bay is ‘social prostitution’, where the sex workers frequent local bars and clubs and meet the customers over a drink. Prostitutes are apparently informed about fishing vessels docking in the harbour.
‘ESTEEMED’
Foreign fishermen are by far the most ‘esteemed’ clients because they pay with foreign currency.
Prostitutes further inland mostly do business with truck drivers – but their fees are lower.
Renate says customers vary from ‘quickies’ to ‘all-nighters’.
‘Quickies usually come to a venue and know exactly what they want, and they want it immediately. We would then go somewhere and have sex,’ she explains.
‘The average price for this is about N$600.’
All-nighters, she says, are more ‘gentlemanly’. These customers would socialise with the sex worker and then book into a hotel to spend the night there -for a fee not less than N$1 000.
According to them, their monthly income exceeds N$10 000; and if it’s a ‘good month’, they pocket more than N$20 000.
The main attraction to the risky world of prostitution is the guaranteed income.
All three women have children, and used to have day jobs too: Carol was a domestic worker; Renate an employee at a local fish factory; and Louise was a cashier in a shop.
According to them, some sex workers still have day jobs while working nights to make ends meet.
‘When one has children, and the fathers disappear and don’t support one financially, life gets tough,’ says Louise.
‘It becomes even tougher when one sees a friend with lots of money – because she prostitutes herself. One is forced into a compromising position.’
She says she – like most other sex workers – was introduced to prostitution by an acquaintance.
‘It’s very embarrassing, but after the first few times it becomes easier to offer yourself for sex, because it’s a fairly easy way to make money,’ says Louise.
‘CLEAN’
All three women claim not to be infected with HIV, but admit the enormous health risks associated with their profession. Unwanted pregnancies are also a problem, according to them, and this may even lead to ‘home abortions’ done by the prospective mothers themselves.
Violence can also be associated with the job, but most violent incidents are not between prostitute and customer, but rather bouts of jealous infighting over customers.
The problem with sexually transmitted diseases is that, even if a sex worker is infected, they will never tell a customer for fear of losing them. The infected person may however insist to use protection during sex.
‘Either way, whether you’re infected or not, you need to protect yourself and the customer. If you don’t protect yourself, then you don’t care about the consequences,’ says Louise.
Carol says most customers are ‘careful’ but there are some who don’t care and even demand sex without protection.
Many customers are married men, and would even talk about their wives and children during a meeting with a sex worker.
So, is it all worthwhile? ‘No’, they all agree, but it’s all about survival.
‘If I were able to get a proper job – even if it paid less – I would rather do that,’ Louise says.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
