The experiences and livelihoods of unemployed graduates in Windhoek, Namibia

Abstract

The experiences and livelihoods of unemployed graduates in Windhoek, Namibia. Graduate unemployment is a global phenomenon and is not only known to the nation of Namibia. There have been numerous research conducted on graduate unemployment worldwide but less research has been conducted on graduate unemployment in Namibia especially focusing on their experiences and livelihoods. This study aimed to examine the experiences and livelihoods of unemployed graduates residing in Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. This study sought to find out how the Namibian nation is affected by the high number of unemployed graduates with the main focus being on the unemployed graduate. This study assessed the impact unemployment has on graduates by focusing on the following research questions; what are the experiences of unemployed graduates seeking employment and what are the livelihood activities of unemployed graduates? A qualitative approach has been used using narrative interviews as a method. The total number of participants interviewed was thirty participants selected using purposive and snowball sampling. The key findings of the study were that graduates are finding it difficult to obtain employment, the main reason being graduates lack the number of working years’ experience required by employers. Secondly, unemployed graduates are struggling to earn a living and have engaged in a range of ad hoc and informal activities to survive. The study also showed that for unemployed graduates residing in Windhoek, livelihoods are not sustainable. The participants discussed various strategies that can be implemented to better their experiences and livelihoods and these were considered as recommendations for practice and policy.