Rose Human is most likely one of the very first people in South Africa to have ever used the first iteration of the inner condom.
This article is part of an African Alliance series celebrating 25 years of the inner condom in South Africa and the people who helped to establish the world’s biggest state-funded inner condom project.
Rose Human is a 49 year old woman who lived in Johannesburg for many years, but decided to escape the city to go live amongst the lichen, succulents and rocks of Springbok in the Northern Cape. She loves Johannesburg, but she thinks Springbok just rocks. She’s a multitasking home-schooling mom, who runs a business from home, with her two newly adopted dogs.
She first met up with the inner condom in 1996. She heard about it while she was in London, but first used it in 1996 when it arrived to be tested – two years prior to the general public having access to the inner condom.
“I believe it is vital for sex workers. In that case it is easier to get on than trying to get him to get his condom on,” Human says.
The inner condom works great for group sex too, because someone can put an inner condom on, without having to check every single male for whether or not they’re using protection.
“If it’s a well-fitted piece it would do nothing to the mood as orgies are about pleasuring many, so men tend to not orgasm quickly and women on women action isn’t blocked by the inner condom. My orgies are with people I know and have been active with for 20 years, but if it is with a new bunch, the inner condom would be a strong consideration,” she explains.
Sex positivity is the belief that people should be allowed to explore their sexuality and gender without judgement, with all the knowledge and tools, and all the safety and care that one can have. It’s a liberating attitude, the opposite of a conservative outlook on sexuality, and amongst millennials and Gen-Z it’s very much in vogue. Human is just clearly ahead of her time.
She’s quickly immersed herself into the local culture and loves to speak about the contrasts to the city of Johannesburg. Human exemplifies two things; a sex positive woman and a new-found lover of rocks. She lives with her four dogs, 10 cats, and husband.
Do you relate to Rose’s story? Let us know how the inner condom has enabled you to live out your safe, sex positive dreams. Get in touch with us on X and Instagram. We’re at @Afri_Alliance on both platforms.