SUBSCRIBE
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Health For Mzansi
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
Health For Mzansi

Many sex workers are battling to get vaccinated

by Liezl Human
26th August 2021
in Trending
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
Sex workers are struggling to access the Covid-19 vaccine.

The Covid-19 vaccine seems to be out of reach for some, and it has everything to do with an administrative issue. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Some sex workers in Mzansi have been unable to get the Covid-19 vaccine and they continue to fear for their own and their clients’ health. The reason stems from a different problem – the absence of identity documents, without which they cannot register on the government’s computer system.

The Sisonke national movement of sex workers has been helping sex workers register for vaccination. But, says national organiser Katlego Rasebitse, they soon realised that their workers without IDs will not be able to register.

Fighting to help sex workers get vaccinated.
Sisonke organiser Katlego Rasebitse and sex health expert Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng. Photo: Twitter

The electronic registration system for vaccination, known as EVDS, requires an ID number, a passport number, or an asylum seeker number. 

Doris Mkwe, a 38-year-old sex worker from Freedom Square in Bloemfontein, said that she had not been able to register for vaccination because she does not have an ID number.

Struggling to obtain an ID

Mkwe further said that she had not had “any luck” getting her ID, despite numerous attempts. Her parents moved from Lesotho and died when she was a child. She has never had any kind of identity documentation.

“When I try to get an ID, I can’t because I don’t have anything to prove that I’ve been born in South Africa, like a birth certificate,” said Mkwe.

shE is concerned about her clients because she doesn’t think she will get an opportunity to get vaccinated.

“I’m still doing business, so I have to ask myself if I am affecting my clients.”

She said that the only thing she can do for now is to use a mask and to sanitise regularly.

Sisonke has urged the department of health to “reconsider the identification requirement during registration”.

Constance Mathe, coordinator of the sex worker movement Asijiki Coalition, had also encountered this problem, especially in Mpumalanga where sex workers live in rural communities. She added that it is difficult for sex workers in rural areas to have access to a home affairs office.

Original article published by GroundUp.

ALSO READ: People flock to Nelson Mandela Bay pop-up vaccine sites

Tags: Covid-19 vaccinesex workers
Liezl Human

Liezl Human

Related Articles

Trending

FS clinic upgrade stalls, forces patients into cramped church

by Tladi Moloi
19th June 2025
Kombucha
My Health

Kombucha: The tangy tea that’s good for your gut

by Candice Khumalo and Vateka Halile
17th June 2025

Stories

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites
Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics
Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy
Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen
No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches
How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth
Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing
Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers
No Result
View All Result

Latest

Meaty bones & dumplings recipe: Comfort food that nourishes
Nutrition

Meaty bones & dumplings recipe: Comfort food that nourishes

by Vateka Halile
24th June 2025

There’s magic in a pot of simmering meaty bones. Rich in collagen, gelatin, and flavour, they support joint and gut...

Read moreDetails
Fathers matter: Shaping lives, not just childhoods

Fathers matter: Shaping lives, not just childhoods

23rd June 2025
UCT

Amputees call for support beyond surgery

20th June 2025

FS clinic upgrade stalls, forces patients into cramped church

19th June 2025
Pineapple tea is Mzansi’s medicine in a mug

Pineapple tea is Mzansi’s medicine in a mug

18th June 2025
Health For Mzansi

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824

News: hello@healthformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Awards & Impact
Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy
Copyright

Somagwaza

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites

cropped-scott-webb-yekGLpc3vro-unsplash.jpeg

Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics

Dr Sinethemba Makanya

Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy

Meaty bones & dumplings recipe: Comfort food that nourishes

Fathers matter: Shaping lives, not just childhoods

Amputees call for support beyond surgery

FS clinic upgrade stalls, forces patients into cramped church

Pineapple tea is Mzansi’s medicine in a mug

Kombucha: The tangy tea that’s good for your gut

error: Content is protected !!
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes

© 2021 Health For Mzansi | Farmers For Change Pty (Ltd)

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers