11 April 1986: South Africa is very puritanical…or is it?

11 April 1986, 8:45 AM, Home of Bill & Mavis Urmson, Lombardy East, Johannesburg

I learned from my pre-trip research that South Africa is very puritanical.  So I was amazed to see a sex shop (with an “adults only” sign on the door) while walking through the cosmopolitan Hillbrow section of Johannesburg yesterday.  Naturally, I went in to see what goodies they had for sale.  The selection was very limited – only condoms, vibrators (very expensive – about 60 Rand each – US$28), silly sex toys and novelties, crotchless panties and garter belts, and posters of women with naked breasts (but clothed “down there”).  There was a sign behind the counter saying “Playboy on sale here.”  I asked the clerk where they kept the Playboys but he said no, they actually didn’t sell it.  I suspect they may have had a few copies under the counter for trusted customers willing to part with their hard-earned Rands to see photos of totally-naked women.  There were no peep shows or video booths that one would find in adult stores in many American cities.  And given the paucity of merchandise, I wondered if the store was a clandestine front for prostitution.  The clerk was very tight-lipped and I found out nothing about the store other than what was out in plain sight.

Neither Playboy nor its raunchier cousins were sold openly in South Africa when I was there in 1986-87.  Image from thegospelcoalition.org

 

The subject of adult entertainment came up at the Rotary Club meeting the other night.  I mentioned to one of the Rotarians that I should have brought a suitcase full of adult magazines and videos with me from the States.  “I could probably have paid for a year’s worth of travel expenses here with the proceeds,” I mused.  “Yes, a year,” he replied.  “That’s about what the judge would give you.”  But I learned from the Rotarians that many guys travelling abroad come back with “dirty” videos hidden in their luggage to enjoy themselves and share with friends.

I was also interested to see that the Johannesburg Star newspaper had a personals section in their classifieds.  Oh my god, there were ads for local swingers’ (mate-swapping) clubs, couples only, of course. 

The women here are very friendly and easy to talk to.  Maybe it’s because I’m obviously an American, and therefore a curiosity, as soon as they hear me say a few words.  The younger ones are certainly not puritanical in their dress – lots of tank tops, bare midribs, and tight pants.  There is a foxy lady at the photocopy shop down the road from here.  She always gives me a big smile and asks me about America when I go there to have my letters copied.  Mavis’s mother (“Granny”) suggests I offer to buy her a cup of tea or coffee.  Apparently, offering to buy her an alcoholic beverage would be a bit too bold here.  I haven’t screwed up the courage to ask yet.

So, is South Africa “puritanical”?  Yes, on the surface.  But I get the impression that at least some people are having a good time.