KZN Health MEC cautions students on the dangers of transactional relationships

KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has issued a strong warning to students entering tertiary institutions against inter-generational transactional relationships, cautioning that the pursuit of material gain can have serious health, social, and educational consequences.

Speaking during the KZN Health Chat multimedia programme broadcast, Simelane said young people, particularly women, are often targeted by significantly older men who use money and luxury items to lure them into relationships.

“Our children must be aware that these old men like to lure them with expensive mobile phones, hair extensions, alcohol, and the good life. They must be careful and not succumb to that, because the consequences might be disastrous,” she said.

The MEC was particularly critical of large age-gap relationships involving teenage students, saying older men should seek partners within their own age group.

“A 27 or 30-year-old man has no business dating an 18 or 19-year-old. Those people must go to their contemporaries,” she said.

Simelane warned that inter-generational transactional relationships significantly increase the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), noting that older partners often have extensive sexual histories. She added that unprotected sex also raises the risk of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, which can disrupt studies and long-term career prospects.

She highlighted that young women between the ages of 15 and 24 remain the most vulnerable group when it comes to new HIV infections, stressing the importance of prevention, informed choices, and early access to healthcare services.

As part of efforts to strengthen HIV prevention, Simelane announced that the Department of Health would soon release a list of healthcare facilities across KwaZulu-Natal that will be offering Lenacapavir, a new HIV prevention drug administered once every six months.

Urging students to resist short-term temptations, the MEC emphasised the importance of patience and long-term thinking.

“What is important for children to understand is that they are still at the beginning of their journey. They will eventually find jobs, earn a salary, and get to where they want to be,” she said. “But you will eventually get there… If you allow yourself to be lured by material things, you may find yourself in a compromising position that is difficult to escape.”

Simelane also expressed concern about cases where young people become involved in transactional relationships or sex work in the pursuit of material possessions.

“Sometimes both boys and girls end up as sex workers just because they are chasing material things,” she said.

She cautioned students against rushing into adult responsibilities, particularly parenthood, while still pursuing their studies.

“When you’re still a student, you are nowhere near ready to bring a life into the world. You’re just not ready to start a family,” she said.

The MEC further encouraged young people who have chosen abstinence to remain committed to it.

“To those who are still virgins, those who have abstained, we are pleading with them to continue on that path until they’re ready. There’s no hurry, no urgency, to start getting involved in sexual intercourse,” she said.

For students who are already sexually active, Simelane urged responsible behaviour and use of available health services.

“Most tertiary institutions do have clinics. But over and above those clinics, we also have primary healthcare clinics that are closer to them, which they can visit. We have condoms and various contraceptive methods available free of charge,” she added.

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