South Africa has its first pornographic film featuring an entirely black cast: Mapona – the title means ‘naked’ in the South African language Sesotho.

But pornography is still a serious taboo in South Africa. Up to now the few porn films made there have mainly used white actors. It seems black people just aren’t keen to strip for the camera.

Condoms
Mapona’s producer, Tau Morena, thought was time South Africa had its own local pornography using black actors. And he stresses that the film also has a safe sex message.

The actors all took HIV tests and use condoms onscreen. HIV/AIDS groups have welcomed the use of condoms, though they have doubts about porn as a form of sex education.

At first Morena said he had no trouble finding willing amateurs to perform in his film. He even announced plans to make three more black safe-sex porn movies before the end of the year, says Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s correspondent in South Africa, Rob de Neef.

“But he’s now finding it’s actually not so easy to find black actors. He says he’s happy to use white actors too. And he’s even offered to pay the air fare to Johannesburg for actors to come and audition.”

Porn ban
Since South Africa got a new constitution in 1996, there has been more freedom, and attitudes to pornography have relaxed, says Rob de Neef.

But it should come as no surprise that Tau Morena is facing an uphill struggle pioneering his locally-made porn. Earlier this year a proposal to ban all pornography on the internet and mobile phones in South Africa won the backing of South African Deputy Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigabe.
 

Read more about pornography and safe sex.
 

Photo: Mapona