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It is the underbelly of Botswana's entertainment, a world of secret meetings, whispered deals, and hidden identities.In the shadows of Gaborone's bars and nightclubs, a different kind of business is booming; one that's often misunderstood and bound in secrecy. The men behind this industry are now speaking out about their experiences, and the unique challenges they face.John (true identity withheld), is one of the emerging male sex workers in the city and in this exclusive interview with The Midweek Sun, has spilled the beans about his experience in the sex trade since he lost his job in 2022. After losing his job, he found himself in the grip of financial hardship. With few options and bills piling up, he turned to sex work to make ends meet. Clients in this case are other men. ‘’Losing my job was difficult, especially in the current economic climate, where the cost of living is high and finding work is difficult. Sex work was a way for me to make ends meet,’’ he said.His story is just one example of the thousands of men caught in the cycle of poverty and exploitation that fuels the underground sex trade. In a twist of fate, he was approached by a woman who offered to help him out financially, but it came at a cost.Now, he's telling his story of how a desperate situation led him to the world of sex work, and how he's been dealing with the aftermath.The individual does not have personal relationships with customers and keeps their business transactions strictly professional. John does not mix business with pleasure, and therefore does not keep any personal connections with those he provides services to.Many individuals who work in this field face discrimination and stigma, which makes it difficult for them to be open about their work. As a result, he has not shared the details of his work with friends or family.He lost his 'normal' relationship due to the demands of one client, who would show up unexpectedly, eventually getting busted by his lover who left.Services are available on a variety of payment plans, with prices ranging from P150 for a single session to P1500 to P3000 for a monthly subscription. Prices vary depending on the number of days that the client works.John said he finds clients on various social media platforms, including Facebook. He also connects with potential clients in bars and clubs. He has built up a base of regular clients who subscribe to his services monthly. His clients’ ages range from 30 years to 55 years.Founder and Director of Sisonke Botswana, Tosh Legoreng told The Midweek Sun that there is a significant number of male sex workers in Botswana. She referenced a case in which there are individuals who had claimed to be MSM (men who have sex with men).This is to show that male sex workers’ clients are actually males. Another case is that of a man who had come to the organisation for assistance after confessing to his wife that they had married using money earned through sex work.Organisations like Sisonke Botswana are working to raise awareness about the experiences and issues faced by male sex workers.

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