THE ‘blesser’ phenomenon has become a hot topic in South Africa in recent months, as numerous women have taken to social media to brag about their unique lifestyles.
The term was coined after many of these posts were shared with the caption, #Blessed.
The term, previously known as ‘sugar daddies’, is often used to describe older men who pay young women for sex.
In some cases social media platforms have even been used by blessers and blessees alike to solicit one another.
On Friday KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Senzo Mchunu, declared “war on blessers”.
During the demonstration, aimed at facilitating awareness regarding blessers and illegal abortions, Mchunu said blessers were “creating havoc in our society”.
He said the phenomenon was encouraging intergenerational sex and exposing young women to sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies.
Here is what Twitter users had to say about the phenomenon:
- I think triple challenges namely poverty, unemployment and inequality exacerbate this phenomenon. #Checkpoint #Blessers — KhayelihleKhumalo (@KhayaJames) May 10, 2016
- This cannot be the solution for the young black girl. Brown child, there’s more to life than Blessers & Mavuso. I promise you. #CheckPoint — Mmatsatsi (@Tsatsi_N) May 10, 2016
- Why are guys all of a sudden worried about women that are blessed by blessers? Kutheni? — Norooi (@MissB_Jay) May 5, 2016
- People never been so open about dating Sugardaddies,now because they are being called Blessers they are open… — Refilwe (@Relomabote) May 5, 2016
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