Prostitution as a Business started in South Africa at a time, when Europe was trying to get rid of the “women of ill fame”. Poor women, without any chance of a better life in Europe, bought cheap ferry tickets from Germany to South Africa, to find happiness and wealth on another continent.
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The local middle class felt threatened by the public existence of prostitution and its increasing number. They got a stronger voice in public and press.
In 1897 a group called “Bowery Boys” (formerly located in New York) became professionals in black mailing, bribery and corruption. Their wives played an important role as madams in the houses of pleasure.
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„The pleasure of their company could be purchased at the rate of 1£ ‚short time‘, or of 5£ per night. (…) All all the working women of the house were called upon to pay (…) the sum of 4£ per month for the provision of food and accommodation (…).“ -(Van Onselen 1932: 123)
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