The potential threat to tourists visiting sex workers and contracting the HIV virus becomes a hotly debated issue for the South African National Aids Council (SANAC). The SA health minister laid out the dangers.
“2010 is going to come with good things but it may also come with dangerous things,” Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said after a Sanac plenary meeting.
“Of course the concern is: what will be the effect of 2010, which everybody is waiting for? Are we going to find the rate of infection accelerating because of 2010?” he asked.
“I mean, we will be having lots of visitors here, we know there will be lots of visitors who come here for sex, you can’t hide that. It happens and what will be the effects on this country?”
The SA government could take steps to decriminalize sex workers, give them security from harassment and abuse, educate them on safe sex, and certify brothels as safe sex zones which would ease tourist’s anxieties.