Set against the backdrop of a current South African black township, Hamba Sugar Daddy unfolds the tortuous journey of Rolivhuwa, an 18-year-old ‘born-free’ whose financial difficulties are exploited and influenced by her group of chomis into being a sugar baby. Rolivhowa’s whole lifestyle changes after meeting Bigvy, the sugar daddy; she no longer eats the same food as other financially challenged students and is now able to afford expensive clothing and wave around the latest costly smartphone. Bigvy has introduced her to a new lifestyle but at what cost? ‘I told you that you can use your body . It’s a matter of opening your beautiful shiny thighs, and having bank notes transferred into your purse soon . You don’t understand, Roli, I am talking about having a relationship with a man who has money; I mean a stack of money, not a lousy guy who’ll tell you about burial societies, mother’s funerals and a long list of lame excuses.’. While sugar daddies are not a new phenomenon, their latest incarnation can be seen as a symptom of the ‘new’ post-1994 South Africa with its rampant consumerism and glittering shopping malls, and for it to be seen as an acceptable subculture. The unstoppable rise of social media and easier internet access has led to the creation of websites that offer a ‘hook up’ and the engagement in easy transactional sex. Young women can now meet and hook up with various sugar daddies who will provide the lifestyle they desire at a click of a button. South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi recently announced a three-year campaign focusing on young women and the men who are infecting and impregnating them. In a climate of growing poverty there is more temptation for those looking for financial and material support, therefore the campaign will further attempt to increase economic opportunities for young women, thereby keeping them away from the temptations of sugar daddies.

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