All women are prostitutes as they expect gifts, money etc from their partners. The difference between them and street 'hookers' is that they do not stand on dodgy corners, thighs out, screeching, "Me nice, me nice, this other one sour!" Its more subtle and unwritten; a unique language of actions and expectations. No woman wants to struggle: money and a woman's smile go hand in hand. Even when a woman stays with a broke man, it’s with hope that one day, his economic status will improve. Women like comfort and even I don't date broke, struggling or stingy men because "I like nice things" and even though I can get them myself, it’s nice to be spoilt!)
Even a woman with one boyfriend is like a "prostitute", because she expects him to sometimes give her money, take her out, etc. What does the man get in exchange? Affections, ego soothing and sex. Imagine a woman who sleeps with a man for nothing! It is often said it is for love. This "love" that people are obsessed with, is like communism; an "official excuse" to use and keep people poor. Imagine giving a man sex in all positions; wham-bam, "I love you". Okhokho! It is like a stream; you just take water and leave. Are relationships all about sex and money? Probably not, if you are idealistic.
Prostitution is 'daily bread' in this country, from the lower to the upper social brackets. Some women are bought with Savannas; they sit in bars, clad in tight jeans drinking and gyrating to music, as the men who buy them drinks salivate in anticipation of "a night of fun". Other women demand jobs, plots, money, holidays etc in exchange for sex. Some women are 'hookers' because they are lazy and greedy. Instead of getting another job or moonlighting, she will find a man who has money to give her.
Interestingly, prostitution is viewed as a cheap act for 'dirty desperate young girls". There are many 'high end hookers' in the world. These women have good jobs and earn enough, but make more money through prostitution. Some of the women who seem sophisticated are often the "busiest" prostitutes and they won't ask for the P300 I hear the ones on the street want, these women want larger sums of money. Nyaa, owai, o go e 'neela' fela ka kagiso. Come month end, she expects a smiley bank deposit SMS or cheque. Sometimes they say things like, "Hey, keaga ko gae, mme ke shorta dilo". If you 'know your story', you will drive straight to a building store or give her cash. If not, you will never see her again! Some women have realized that no one woman can please a man. "Men often have more money than women, so if he is going to "use you", then you might as well benefit." This is the real world; Hello, welcome! Do you want a glass of Moet to swallow down the truth?
The amusing thing about women who 'sell their bodies' is that they are often defensive, whereas they do the same thing they judge street prostitutes for. The moment money and sex come together, its prostitution.
On the flipside, prostitution is not a solely woman trade. Men prostitute themselves too. I have heard that homosexual sex is expensive and that is why it is rare to meet a broke gay guy. Young men make lots of money from "bending over" and I know a few who've made money in this regard. Some girls also give their boyfriends money. These women say they love their boyfriends and are only 'helping them'. Other young men have sugar mummies who offer them money and gifts. These guys like women who earn a lot of money since they ask them for material items- an orgasm for a few Pulas. Bagolo ba rogiwa ke bana, just for the hedonistic desire for sex and money.
Where things stand, I think people should keep hiding their sexual liaisons. If we legalize prostitution, it will erode the remaining social moral fibre, because it is difficult to regulate matters that involve caresses, thrusts and exchanges of bodily fluids. Social integrity and respect are important. Money can get you anything you want, but not social credibility, respect and a good reputation. While I maintain that prostitution is common in Botswana, let it remain in the dark and those fancy hotel rooms.
