It’s a hard knock life
Moirah Mkhatshwa*, a sex worker, says the only reason she sells her body is to provide for her children in the hopes of giving them a brighter future.
WHITE RIVER – “If I could get an alternative job, I could get out of this demonic trade.”
Moirah Mkhatshwa*, a sex worker, says the only reason she sells her body is to provide for her children in the hopes of giving them a brighter future.
The 24-year-old mother of two told Mpumalanga News that when she could not find a proper job after dropping out of school, she resorted to prostitution, but it had been difficult ever since she had started her journey in the business.
“People think we enjoy sitting here every day and they are of the opinion that we make a lot of money, but that is not true. We are exposed to dangerous conditions and sometimes still go home with nothing,” she said.
On a good day, Mkhatshwa says she goes home with a “reasonable amount” – enough to put food on the table, but states that sometimes she does not make enough to pay for her taxi fare home.
“I do not want to do this anymore and if I can secure some kind of employment, even if it’s domestic work, I would gladly stop this. This is no life to be lived by any human being,” she added.
She promised that should she be able to do something else with her life, she was prepared to go public and tell other women that the sex trade was not the way to go.
“They should not even consider it because once a person is hooked, some never want to stop.”
While speaking to this journalist, her sister, who is also a sex worker jumps into the conversation.
“I love this job and I do not want to stop. All I want is for the government to stop giving us trouble while we do our job,” she said abruptly.
She added that all she needed was a proper place to do her job, without fear of being victimised and assaulted by clients.
“When my sister started, it was all about making a living, but now she loves doing this thing.
“You see what I mean when I said that once a person starts, they become hooked? I want to stop doing this.
If only I could find a job in this jobless season, I would even stop now!” Mkhatshwa concluded.
*Not her real name
