April 25th, 2012
From naked computer technicians to a concert where the audience -- and musicians -- are all in the buff, South Africans are embracing whipping their kit off two decades after the fall of apartheid's stuffy rule.
Membership of the South African Naturist Federation (Sanfed) is growing briskly, from 130 people in 2009 to around 8,000 today, and attitudes are relaxed enough for a new all-naked business to draw bookings.
"Twenty years ago nudity was very much a taboo and people didn't really speak about it, whereas nowadays times have changed," said Sanfed chairman Carrington Laughton.
Public nudity in South Africa is not legal, despite a decades-old blind eye on certain beaches and at certain resorts, but attitudes are now more accepting since the once-isolated nation opened up after democracy in 1994.
"The general approach that the previous political regime had was a very conservative one, it was a very very conservative bunch of people running the country and as a result, certain things were not allowed," said Laughton.
"And with the changes that have happened, obviously all of that nonsense has fallen away and that which hasn't fallen away completely has very much taken a back seat."
Around a quarter of Sanfed's registered members are black, figures Laughton would like to grow, and up to 60 percent is male. Most white members are Afrikaners.
Prompted by the fast-growing numbers, Briton Mark Taylor, who with his wife has a naturist hotel in Greece and a naked sailing business, opened a dedicated family resort Vasnat near Cape Town in December.
Summer bookings were overwhelmingly international - 79 percent Europeans and 21 percent local - but South Africans are warming to the idea, he said.
"I was extremely surprised at the local interest," said Taylor, who said a Sunday concert even saw the non-naturist band strip off in the second set.
Equating sex with no clothes is the biggest misconception that the lifestyle faces, he added.
"People think we're all here having sex," said Taylor, even though public amorous shows usually lead to an immediate booting-out.
"And that is so far away from the truth -- there is no sexual vibe about it, it's not sexual, it's not erotic, it's just people enjoying being in the sun without their clothes on."
Also seeing gain in a "less is more" approach, Cape Town resident Jean-Paul Reid in January started a company whose chef hiring policy is a willingness to work in the nude, or mostly so.
The 29-year-old has signed up more than 75 part-timers with diverse services onto his au natural books -- from a computer technician to a law student -- after failing to find work in his accounting field.
The Natural Company averages two bookings a day, mostly by rich, middle-aged white men, for services from body shots at hen parties to cleaners and plumbers wearing only a smile costing around 400 rands ($50, 38 euros).
"I would say nine out of 10 is naked and one out of 10 is semi-naked," said Reid who takes a 20 percent commission off jobs.
The service's most popular staffer is Cape Town 20-year-old personal trainer Michael Levin (not his real name) who says the concept has the potential to bring in good money.
"You're nervous because you don't know who you are going to or meeting for the first time," he admitted, saying being comfortable in the nick was key.
"I wouldn't spend 300 or, what, 500 rand on someone to stand there nude or to clean for, what, half an hour, an hour. I wouldn't do that, but really, I actually think it's quite stupid but it's interesting though."
Soliciting of staff for sexual services is banned, as is the unblocking of toilets and drains.
"I make it very clear: no sex whatsover," said Reid.
The majority of bookings are in South Africa's biggest cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town and there are hopes to expand the skills-base.
"For me I need to diversify so I want to offer everything possible naked," said Reid. "Not a school teacher, that's the only thing. You've got to draw the boundary somewhere."
Related Articles:
- Cape Town to get nudist resort
- Get glowing at SA's nudie beaches
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User Comments
@ Not John or Trev ThankgoodnessSubmitted by Trevor on Thu, 04/26/2012 - 15:08. |
Good luck weirdo. ) |
Dof Trevor etcSubmitted by Not John or Trev Thankgoodness on Thu, 04/26/2012 - 14:20. |
Has the village lost it's idiot? There is none so STUPID as those whose heads are so far up their rather dirty rears that they can't see. I would rather my children appreciate the difference between the nudity and sex, between nudity and crass perverseness. When everybody is (un)dressed the same, you don't stare, nobody is out of the ordinary. The point is not to stick your penis in someones face (rather disgusting in your case), but to all be without clothes. You my dear fellow will never appreciate this. Nor will your children. They too will think all bodies are ugly and genitals bad. As mentioned before I have my doubts about you hiding behind a cloak of respectability. You have previously expressed great opinion on boy's penises. You are the type to be watched. In the meantime go back to your imaginary god, and the brash hypocritical ideals of your religion. Please could anyone refer me to a news article where a naturalist has abused a child. I could show you numerous where supposedly conservative, respectable men have done just that. So mate, explain that to me. YOU are so wrong! |
@ Not John or Trev ThankgoodnessSubmitted by Anonymous on Thu, 04/26/2012 - 12:09. |
Haha…you’re a funny guy. Okay, it’s very easy actually. Ask yourself the following question: “Why do I enjoy exposing my penis to little children?” Do you get it now mate? It’s wrong! |
@ Not John ThankgoodnessSubmitted by Trevor on Thu, 04/26/2012 - 11:17. |
Look I will try to explain it in a simple way for you as you don’t come across as the sharpest tool in the shed. I have no problem with nudist beaches or resorts for adults. The problem comes in when grown men like you let their penis hang out in front of young children’s faces. So if you enjoy walking around naked with other adults, by all means do it, but please keep children away from this until they become adults them self’s. I mean common buddy, it's not rocket science. |
@ Not so Clever TrevSubmitted by Not John or Trev Thankgoodness on Thu, 04/26/2012 - 09:45. |
Oh dear Trevvy. Try to get your mind around this. If a naturalist were to have lustful feelings to a minor, it would be immediately obvious and such person would be dispatched forthwith. YOU however can hide your tiny erect penis behind baggy trousers whilst pursuing your sick, disgusting pastime of perving children. You Trevor are the disgusting sick little low life. People like YOU are the reason child sexual abuse is most often encountered within the circle of family and friends. You hide behind your moral high ground vociferously proclaiming your aversion to anything to do with the body. Waiting for your chance to strike. And when you do it's that much worse for the kid, because you threaten her(him) and the kid trusting you, believes the threat. And if the kid were to complain, he won't be believed anyway because you project the image of such an outstanding citizen. No Clever Trevor, it is not the naturalists who are corrupting and abusing children, it is people like YOU. (P.S. How can you call your family environment balanced when your own children can't see you naked. You really are sick, trevor sick. Get help, for you and your more importantly, your children.) |
@ Not John ThankgoodnessSubmitted by Trevor on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 22:06. |
Yes you dumb F#$c I agree that children should accept their bodies and feel comfortable in their skin and I fully encourage that within a well-balanced family environment . But pervs like you who expose their naked bodies and penises to your own children and others in a public domain or anywhere else for that matter are the real retards. Try growing a few brain cells you FOOL. |
@ NOT Clever TrevorSubmitted by Not John Thankgoodness on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 20:10. |
TREVOR,WFT, Just Wong, Sicko etc....This is the why pedophiles are able to operate with seeming impunity, because you provincial retards do not know the difference between accepting one's body and being a pervert. The later applies to YOU. Funny how the incidence of pedophilia is far lower in countries that allow (and promote) nudity. Children who accept their bodies and those of others are far far more balanced and emotionally secure than the brats you produce who are ashamed of their own bodies, and tease others about theirs. Hendrik Verwoerd would be proud of you, and I have no doubt you orks fully support him and his polices of past. |
@ Not John ThankgoodnessSubmitted by Trevor on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 17:29. |
So do you enjoy showing your penis to little boys and girls? You FU@#ng pedophile! |
sick indeedSubmitted by Anonymous on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 17:24. |
It’s because very few people actually know that nudists take young children with them to these beaches. That is obviously the reason why the editor of this article removed the photos. |
ShockedSubmitted by Thomson on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 16:30. |
I also saw the pictures this morning showing naked children probably aged around 5 and 13 years walking around on the beach with naked men and woman. I have never had a problem with naturists before as I always thought that it was only legally accessible for adults. I was shocked to come to the realization that nudists take their young children to these beaches with them. So basically these children are being exposed to by hundreds of naked strangers. WOW, all I can say is I’m shocked. |
Wtf?Submitted by Wendy on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 15:41. |
I was also under the impression that nudist beaches have a age restriction. No child under the age of 18 should be walking on a beach with fully grow naked strangers. |
Just wrongSubmitted by Anonymous on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 15:10. |
This is wrong in every way. No child under the age of 18 should be allowed on a nudist beach what so ever. |
Agree with JohnSubmitted by Simon on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 15:03. |
I TOTALLY agree with John on this one. I have no problem with nudist beaches but I always thought there was an age restriction of at least 18. I am shocked to find out that this is not the case and that children of all ages are walking around on these nudist beaches. Surely this cannot be legal? |
Re dear JohnSubmitted by John on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 14:24. |
Your comment just prove the depravity and sickness of your warp mind. How this can actually be legal, baffles the mind. It is a cesspool of paedophilia if you ask me. Good luck to all of you and the children involved not that you have any idea of what is right and wrong. )) BTW, why doesn't news24 publish the photos they had on here again??? Let’s see how many people would agree??? |
@ Not John Thankgoodness on WedSubmitted by Anonymous on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 14:06. |
Hear hear!!! *hand him a bells* |
re SICKSubmitted by Anonymous on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 13:57. |
Nothing wrong there - the nude body is the most natural thing you can get. My kids are growing up in a naturist environment and believe me to them nudity is nothing. They do not have the urge to look at girlie magazines or porn. AND THEY ARE BOYS !!!!! Is SANFED still allive !!!!!!????????????????? |
John Dear John, Grow UPSubmitted by Not John Thankgoodness on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 13:50. |
No John you provincial ignorant little git, you are wrong. There is NOTHING wrong with children living that lifestyle. It is your brain dead "bodies are rude" attitude that has left your children rather emotionally retarded. You really are the SICKO here. Let your closed off brain register "NUDITY IS NOT ABOUT SEX". and while you are about it , consider growing up. |
SICK!!!Submitted by John on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 12:48. |
I see news24 has removed the pictures on this page now. But I think it is sick that adult men and woman are walking naked with children on this beach. Isn't it illegal for adults to expose themself in front of children. And the photos that was placed here earlier clearly show that the children where naked too. Aged around 7 - 11 Why did you remove the pictures news24???? I know, because you know there will be an OUTCRY from the public when they realize that children are also involved!! |
New SA Naturist Social NetworkSubmitted by Deon Johnston on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 11:34. |
Naturism is indeed thriving in SA - to the point that a dedicated naturist social network has recently been established. Only about a month old, GYMNOS LIVE (Gymnos, being the Greek word for naked), offer South Africans their own naked Facebook so to speak. Check it out at www.gymnos.co.za |
When they show a mans penisSubmitted by Sue on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 10:52. |
When they show a mans penis on TV the BCCSA fines the show, but is it okay to show a naked woman?? Dont think so. |
