Abstract
This chapter interrogates the traditional leadership system and its operation in advancing and/or undermining development in Africa. Although this chapter traces the history of traditional leadership from the pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial and apartheid era, emphasis is on the dynamics and nature of traditional leadership post-colonial period. The central argument of this chapter is that conflicts between traditional and democratic leaders arise over political legitimacy, access to resources, and reformation of traditional institutions to play a more democratic and developmental role. Case studies of various African countries (e.g., Kenya, Botswana, Nigeria, South Africa) have been selected to deliberate on the nature and dynamics of the traditional leadership system, with particular emphasis on its reformation.
TopIntroduction
Traditional leadership by definition is the leadership exercised by traditional leaders, such as Kings, Queens, Chiefs and Headmen (Ntsebeza, 2001). In Africa, most traditional leaders are male individuals who, by their ancestry, occupy the throne or stool of an area (Dlungwana, 2004). Unlike the democratically elected leadership, traditional leadership is hereditary. Over the centuries, male heirs have dominated it to the thrones. Traditional leaders are custodians of culture, traditional practices and rituals within their jurisdiction, and have over the centuries prestigious positions in indigenous societies (Baloyi, 2016 & Rugege, 2014). Khunou (2011) posits that traditional leaders were the custodian of customs and culture in the olden days, and also took an initiative in socio-economic and political matters affecting their communities. Thus, considering this in today’s context, the latter issues could benefit from traditional leaders' interventions.
In Africa, traditional leadership has a primordial history dating before the colonial era (Williams, 2010). Thus, communities were divided into traditional zones, with Kings, Queens and Chiefs enthroned to govern with their indigenous structures, policies and traditions (Phago & Netswera and Vaughan, 2003). The arrival of Europeans through conquest subjected the traditional leadership and its subjects to colonial rule. Traditional leadership in Africa existed pre-colonial, during and post-colonial, and remains the only legitimate known system of governance among native people. Traditional leadership is an integral part of African history, and as such Williams (2010) argues that ‘without traditional leadership, there would be no community. Thus, traditional societies and communities derived their power and political legitimacy from traditional leadership (Heywood, 2013). The political legitimacy of traditional authority, as highlighted by Weber (1948), is anchored on protracted existence and is further sanctified by history. Historically, traditional leadership is a hereditary system with power and privilege inherent from generation to generation (Heywood, 2013, p. 81).
Key Terms in this Chapter
African Development: Is the type of development that embraces models, approaches and policies geared towards addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by Africans in the continent.
Traditional Leadership: Is the type of leadership which is attached to the traditional exercise of author by kings and chief mainly in the rural setting.
King: Is high ranking traditional leader charged with the responsibility of sharpening his subjects with the help of chiefs.
Transformation of Traditional Leadership: This is the type of transformation aimed at democratizing the institution of traditional leadership based on democratic principles such as accountability, transparency, inclusiveness, equality, and equity.
Traditional Leaders: These are leaders who ascend to the position of power through hereditary and are charged with the welfare of their subject within their respective jurisdiction.
Chiefs: Are traditional leaders below the rank of the king and bestowed with the power to govern the territory under the supervision of a king.
Democratic Leadership: Leadership which came to power through democratic processes such as the elections.