Nothando logs onto Facebook and sees a suggested page:

** BLESSERFINDER KZN **

She clicks on it curiously and starts reading the entries.

Hi. I am a rich man from Cape Town. I own a Lamborghini and three mansions in three cities: Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. I am looking for a blessee between the ages of 20–25. She must be yellow bone and have a big booty. I will give her a monthly allowance of R6 000 and a holiday in Dubai. If you are a real lady and you meet the requirements please contact me…

She scrolls down the page.

Good day admin,

I am looking for a blessee based in Durban. She must be able to entertain me when I am in Durban for business. I will give her R10 000 a day and a shopping allowance as I would want her to wear prostitute costumes every night. She must be between the ages of 21–30, wear size 30–34. No chancers please.

There are about fifty posts a day of blessers advertising themselves, and there are hundreds of responses from girls who want to be blessees for those men. These girls leave a reply with their contact details and pictures, hoping to get lucky.

Nothando’s heart starts beating fast. Her feelings are all mixed up. Lord, why should I see this now? Is it a sign for me? But no, this is so wrong. I can’t believe girls are so desperate and hungry for the good life that they even sell themselves like pieces of meat to these old, rich men on this page. These are the last days indeed. Buya Nkosi Jesu (Come back Jesus)!

The page is trending. It already has 50 000 followers – girls looking for blessers.

As Nothando scrolls down the page, she sees many interesting blesser profiles. They are tempting. This could be her ticket to a good life, without having to worry about a job that is taking its time to come.

But no! This is not something I would do, she tells herself. This is not how my mother raised me, to chase after men with money. I want to work and earn my money.

As Nothando sits there looking at the blesser site she gets a WhatsApp message from her cousin in the rural area.

Hi Mzala

I just wanted to tell you that gogo is sick and as you can see it’s mid-month so we have nothing spare. Can you at least try and get us R200 for a doctor? You are her last hope.

Take care…

The message makes Nothando very sad. She feels for gogo and she wishes she could help. But why do they ask her for money when they know very well that she is unemployed? Yet they keep asking her. They seem to think that if you live in Durban you pick money from the trees.

Finally, she responds to the message.

Hi Cuz

I am very sad to hear about gogo, but as you know I have nothing at the moment. I will try to get the money, but I’m not promising anything.

The message from her cousin leaves Nothando feeling worried and despondent.

***

Tell us what you think: Do ‘blesser’ sites really exist?console.log(‘ThelmsSurveyLink::GetLinkArray() returned ‘, false);