Virtual Seminar by Malefane Matele (National University of Lesotho)

Abstract

Livestock hold significant economic and cultural importance in Lesotho, as it is the main livelihood strategy for most families from rural areas. Herding has thus become a necessary activity, serving as a rite of passage for young men and a way to protect livestock. Therefore, herders are an essential part of Lesotho’s socioeconomic landscape. This qualitative study employed the ecocultural theory of development to explore childhood herders’ narratives of their herding experiences. The findings reveal that herders are exposed to Lesotho’s harsh weather conditions and rampant stock theft, unconducive dwellings at cattle posts, underfeeding, and death and dying experiences. This signifies a need for a herding policy by the government of Lesotho to regulate herding-related issues as well as to prohibit childhood herding coupled with regular law enforcement monitoring of herding sites. It is also postulated that interventions aimed at shifting community norms should be implemented to reconstruct the prevailing conceptions of masculinity linked to maladaptive behaviours.

Bionote

Malefane Justice Matele is a part-time lecturer at the National University of Lesotho. He holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the same institution. He teaches Social Work and Anthropology modules at undergraduate level. He has experience in community development projects, economic strengthening projects for families, and US - funded projects for orphaned and vulnerable children. He worked as a Social Worker under Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) implementing OVC projects, and his main duties included supervising field cadres. This was before working as a Capacity Strengthening Coordinator, where he oversaw the roll-out and implementation of HIV-Sensitive National Case Management System within the Department of Social Development as well as capacitating district child protection structures. He is the founder of the Rea Phela Foundation.