Despite claims that sex business would boom during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, sex workers from all over South Africa suffered a slow, unproductive month. It was predicted that over 40 000 sex workers would flock to South Africa from as far as Russia to fulfil the needs of the soccer fans, but “most foreign sex workers were already here prior to the World Cup.”
Prior to the World Cup former police chief, Jackie Selebi made a proposal to legalise sex work during the World Cup to “free his officers to deal with more pressing security issues.” Apart from Selebi’s proposal, lobbying for the decriminalisation of sex work has been going on for many years, but 79% of South Africans aren’t keen on the idea.
Dianne Massawe, advocacy officer at the Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT), said most sex worker she spoke to reported slower business than usual during June and July this year. SWEAT is awaiting information from the University of Stellenbosch, who are busy with research into how many foreign sex workers actually showed up for the World Cup.
It looks like the influx was insignificant and exaggerated. According to Henry Trotter, the author of Sugar Girls and Seamen, noted that most World Cup fans weren’t interested in paid sex. “We may be mistaken in our stereotyping of soccer fans by assuming that they always have sex on their minds.” In fact, most of the clients were local South African men.
The lack of business for sex workers may be due to the fact that South Africa has the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the world. Fear for infection might have kept men away from the sex industry. Foreign governments also showed concern for the spread of the virus: the British government donated £1 million for 42 million condoms to be made available during the tournament. The Dutch government warned their citizens to ensure they have condoms on them upon leaving the country, lest they run out in South Africa. Some foreign visitors were warned to avoid intimacy with local sex workers because it could land them in jail.
During the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the country also saw less sex workers than expected, despite legalising the industry before the event. Many of the fans attended with their families or were on a tight budget, with just enough money for tickets, transport and accommodation.
With the ‛gees’ of the South African World Cup, fans were more interested in having fun with their friends and getting swept up by the vibe than paying for sex. Trotter says “the likelihood of a fan meeting another fan and pairing off for some free sex was higher than someone soliciting the services of sex workers.”

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