In this conversation, Afrika Mhlophe sits down with Ryan Smit, Executive Director of Cause for Justice (CFJ), to unpack the case and put the hardest audience questions on the table: Is prostitution just about consenting adults and what they choose to do with their own bodies? And is CFJ simply trying to impose Christian morality on people who don’t share its beliefs?
Introduction
At the centre of this case lies the question of whether South Africa’s current laws prohibiting prostitution should remain in place.
Cause for Justice (CFJ) has joined the court case as an intervening respondent, opposing an application to decriminalise prostitution in South Africa. The case began in 2024, and after the Department of Justice withdrew its opposition, CFJ stepped in to make sure the public interest in retaining the criminal ban was represented before the court.
CFJ has joined the matter to ensure that the court hears evidence regarding the impact of prostitution on individuals, families, communities and society as a whole, helping the court to reach a fair and just outcome to the dispute.
What you’ll find in the podcast
Ryan walks us through what’s actually being asked of the court, the evidence before it, and why the outcome could shape how South Africa treats human dignity for generations to come.
In this podcast Afrika and Ryan take a deep-dive into the important issues raised by this case, including –
- What the applicants are asking the court to do and why the case is back before the courts.
- What the Constitutional Court already ruled in 2002, and what’s changed since.
- Why Cause for Justice decided to become involved in the matter.
- Whether prostitution is truly a matter of free choice and autonomy.
- The connection between prostitution, trafficking, exploitation, addiction and poverty.
- What evidence CFJ has placed before the court.
- Whether legalisation would make prostitution safer.
- Is CFJ’s case about imposing Christian morality, or protecting the vulnerable?
- How the law influences culture and social acceptance.
- How Christians can respond to this issue with both truth and compassion.
Ways To Make a Difference and Stand with Us
Support the Cause
This case is about far more than a change in legislation. As Ryan explains in the podcast, “what becomes law eventually becomes culture.”
Due to the realities of legal fees and costs associated with participating in complex constitutional litigation, CFJ needs your support. Stand with us by making a donation of any amount today to help us continue representing the public interest and protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
You can make a contribution here:
Get your Church community onboard!
As discussed in the podcast, this conversation is about more than law. It is about human dignity, compassion, truth and the future of our communities.
Churches have a unique opportunity to lead with conviction and compassion by helping people understand the realities behind prostitution, the vulnerabilities that drive many into it, and the importance of restoring dignity to those affected.
A regular “first hurdle” to overcome is silence and inaction.
If your church would like Afrika Mhlophe or Ryan Smit to help equip your congregation to understand this issue and respond in a meaningful way, contact us today.
CONTACT USThe Future is Being Decided Now
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