Community-based co-design across geographic locations and cultures: methodological lessons from co-design workshops in South Africa

Abstract

In this article, we report on methodological reflections that emerged during community-based co-design workshops exploring maternal and child health challenges across four provinces in rural and urban South Africa. Based on these workshops, we present how cultural norms such as hlonipha facilitated learning opportunities for participants engagement with gender norms and relations with community leaders and senior members of the community. We also describe stark contrasts with regards to cultural norms between rural and urban sites and their implications for co-design activities. By reflecting on the multi-linguistic, social, and cultural challenges conducting workshops across geographic locations, we discuss how cultural nuances influenced co-design workshops and artefacts. Adjustments to the rhythms of the workshops and co-design activities enabled "transferability" between rural and urban settings, and across diverse cultures, regardless of whether these settings include members from the same cultures.