Video Descriptions

Blessers: Older Partners and Transactional Relationships

This video explores the issue of relationships particularly between older men and girls that are sexual and transactional, often referred to as “blesser-blessee” relationships in parts of South Africa. The video features two sisters discussing the younger sister’s friend, who has recently taken up a relationship with a much older man who has been providing her with gifts. In trying to understand why her friend has gotten involved with the older man, the sisters discuss how this can happen, some of the personal and health risks that girls can face in the relationship, such as risk of pregnancy, STIs, lower self-esteem, and violence, and the importance of talking to a trusted adult if someone is feeling pressured to become a “blessee.”

Unexpected (Intergenerational and transactional sexual relationships)

This video explores the issue of intergenerational, transactional sexual relationships, particularly between older men and girls. The video tells the story of two friends, Anabel and Eve, who decide to take up relationships with much older men. Despite being offered an appealing lifestyle and many gifts, Anabel realizes that her relationship does not feel right and opens up about it to her cousin, Christine. Christine helps her understand some of the personal and health risks that girls can face in the relationship, such as the risk of pregnancy, STIs, lower self-esteem, and violence, and the importance of talking to a trusted adult if someone is feeling pressured to enter into a relationship with an older man.