An Ethnographic Exploration of Youth Unemployment in Hlotse, Lesotho

156 Pages·2017·13.39 MB·English

An Ethnographic Exploration of Youth

Unemployment in Hlotse, Lesotho

by
Abid Virani

Submitted to OCAD University

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Master of Design

in

Inclusive Design

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, April 2017
Abid Virani, 2017

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Author's Declaration
I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this MRP. This is a true copy of
the MRP, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners.
I authorize OCAD University to lend this MRP to other institutions or
individuals for the purpose of scholarly research.
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purpose of scholarly research.

Abid Virani

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Abstract
Engaging youth is vital for inclusive economic development. Facing
extreme odds including a high prevalence of HIV, an unpredictable political
climate, and significant unemployment, Basotho youth are especially
disenfranchised. This study used a two-lens kit – the wide-angle of global
development and the telephoto lens of inclusive design – to explore youth
unemployment in Lesotho. Through ethnographic interviews with 26 youth in
Hlotse about their ambition, challenges, perceived future, and possible
supports, light is shed on the themes that matter to them; education,
mentorship, employment, entrepreneurship, drugs and alcohol, and
governance. This is a first step in enabling youth to codesign solutions for the
economy in which they live, which in line with the objectives of localized
government and non-profit organizations. Methodologically, recognizing
diversity in positionality between the interviewer and participant, while also
adopting an inclusive process to reduce barriers of engagement, are
highlighted as facilitators of inclusive ideation.
Keywords: Youth unemployment, Inclusive economic development, Inclusive
design, Ethnography, Codesign, Positionality, Hlotse, Lesotho, jobs

iv
Acknowledgments
My inspiration, Noma Vales, who dedicated her mind, body, and heart to
make this entire project possible. My principal advisor, Alex Manu, who
exposed me to new ways of thinking and then pushed me to think in new
ways. My committee members, Sambhavi Chandrashekar and Vera Roberts,
who were honest critics and trusted advisors every step of the way. Our
research assistants, Blah, Dhlomo and Rethabile, each of whom excite me
about the future of Lesotho because it is in their hands. My family, Altaf and
Yasmin, Fy and Amelia, Azmeena, Nooreen and Rick, Anu Mama and Nasim
Masi, all of whom have never wavered in their support. They have made it
possible for me to find hope in moments of doubt and I thank them deeply
for their unconditional love. My partner, Alwar Pillai, whose love, kindness,
and dedication have pushed me to be a better researcher, creator, and
person. My friends; Jake Chirico, Braden Sitter, Adam Hart-Owens, Bradley
Jackson, Chantal Cordeau, Graham McLaughlin, Emily Bremner, Mike
Prosserman, Meaghan Morris, Kay Dyson Tam, Omer Ismael, Chad Lesch,
David Scott, and Danie Major. My mentors; Bill Boyle, Joel Barr, Stuart Candy,
Jutta Treviranus, Michael Prokopow, John McLaughlin and Lindsay Moeser.

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Table of Contents
List of Figures and Illustrations ................................................... viii

List of Tables .................................................................................. viii

1 Introduction ............................................................................... 1

1.1 A Research Project ................................................................................ 5

1.2 Aims and Objectives ............................................................................. 7

2 Positionality .............................................................................. 11

2.1 The Positionality Wheel ...................................................................... 13

2.2 The Research Project Team ............................................................... 17

3 Lenses ....................................................................................... 20

3.1 The Two-Lens Kit ................................................................................. 21

3.2 Wide Angle: Global Development ...................................................... 23

3.3 Telephoto Lens: Inclusive Design ...................................................... 30

4 Meet The Participants ............................................................. 36

5 The Mountainous Kingdom .................................................... 56

6 On Education ............................................................................ 68

7 On Mentorship ......................................................................... 79

8 On Employment ....................................................................... 85

9 On Entrepreneurship .............................................................. 97

10 On Drugs & Alcohol ............................................................... 108

11 On Governance ...................................................................... 117

12 Discussion and Conclusion ................................................... 130

12.1 Inclusive Ideation .............................................................................. 131

12.1.1 Positionality ........................................................................................................ 132

12.1.2 Barrier Reduction ............................................................................................... 134

12.2 Eliciting Meaningful Conversations ................................................ 137

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12.3 Next Steps .......................................................................................... 138

12.4 Final Thoughts ................................................................................... 139

13 References .............................................................................. 141

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List of Tables
Table 1 Value of Exports by Major Partners ........................................... 60

viii
List of Figures and Illustrations

Figure 1 Looking Out The Window ............................................................. 3

Figure 2 The Data We Collected .................................................................. 9

Figure 3 Personal Education Spoke .......................................................... 14

Figure 4 My Positionality Wheel ................................................................ 16

Figure 5 Principal Advisor Positionality Wheels ...................................... 17

Figure 6 Committee Member Positionality Wheels ................................ 18

Figure 7 Research Assistant Positionality Wheels ................................... 18

Figure 8 Camera Body Visualization ......................................................... 20

Figure 9 Two-Lens Kit Approach To Research ......................................... 22

Figure 10 Rostow's Model Of Development ........................................... 23

Figure 11 Basotho Man Tending To Farm ............................................... 26

Figure 12 Population Pyramid Of Lesotho .............................................. 28

Figure 13 Dimensions Of Inclusive Design .............................................. 34

Figure 14 Map of Southern Africa ............................................................ 36

Figure 15 View From The Mountains ....................................................... 38

Figure 16 GDP Per Capita, By Country .................................................... 39

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Figure 17 Community Football Tournament .......................................... 41

Figure 18 Translating Consent Forms ..................................................... 42

Figure 19 Female Labour Participation Across Age ............................... 45

Figure 20 Children And Elderly Per 100 Adults ...................................... 48

Figure 21 Labour Participation Across Age ............................................. 49

Figure 22 Currency: Lesotho/South Africa/Canada ................................ 52

Figure 23 Gender Differences .................................................................. 54

Figure 24 Adolescent Pregnancy .............................................................. 61

Figure 25 Maternal Mortality In Lesotho .................................................. 62

Figure 26 Gauteng And Lesotho ............................................................... 64

Figure 27 Medical Doctors Per 1000 People ........................................... 65

Figure 28 Religion In Lesotho ................................................................... 67

Figure 29 One Night When a Few of Us Played With Cameras ............ 69

Figure 30 Participants’ Estimated Education Spoke ............................... 70

Figure 31 Secondary School Enrolment Rate ......................................... 71

Figure 32 Lesotho Primary School Completion ...................................... 73

Figure 33 Literacy Rates ............................................................................ 75

Figure 34 Participants’ Estimated Mentorship Spoke ............................. 81

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