A Critical Review of the Roles and Functions of Traditional Leaders

The epitome of pre-colonial African history and culture is embedded within the institution of traditional leadership. Yet, this institution is still mired by much controversy and the cloud of being seen as not fitting the principles of democracy, while needing to remain relevant to its subjects. Ha...

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Main Authors: Nkareng Klaas-Makolomakwe, Tanusha Raniga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Johannesburg 2021-06-01
Series:The Thinker
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/The_Thinker/article/view/534
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author Nkareng Klaas-Makolomakwe
Tanusha Raniga
author_facet Nkareng Klaas-Makolomakwe
Tanusha Raniga
author_sort Nkareng Klaas-Makolomakwe
collection DOAJ
description The epitome of pre-colonial African history and culture is embedded within the institution of traditional leadership. Yet, this institution is still mired by much controversy and the cloud of being seen as not fitting the principles of democracy, while needing to remain relevant to its subjects. Having survived both the colonial and apartheid eras in South Africa, it still faces legislative control in the post-1994 era. The discourses presented in this paper advance the contested views regarding the legislative control by the state over the institution of traditional leadership. Within rural areas, the institution is perceived by local citizens as independent and a valuable institution, upholding gender justice and cultural rights.  Providing focused attention on the abuse of women, this paper offers insights from empirical evidence in KwaZulu-Natal on the prominent role played by senior women traditional leaders in addressing women abuse in rural communities.
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series The Thinker
spelling doaj-art-5b350e8587b348c9849333d9c82376ca2025-01-28T09:02:28ZengUniversity of JohannesburgThe Thinker2075-24582616-907X2021-06-0187210.36615/thethinker.v87i2.534A Critical Review of the Roles and Functions of Traditional Leaders Nkareng Klaas-Makolomakwe Tanusha Raniga The epitome of pre-colonial African history and culture is embedded within the institution of traditional leadership. Yet, this institution is still mired by much controversy and the cloud of being seen as not fitting the principles of democracy, while needing to remain relevant to its subjects. Having survived both the colonial and apartheid eras in South Africa, it still faces legislative control in the post-1994 era. The discourses presented in this paper advance the contested views regarding the legislative control by the state over the institution of traditional leadership. Within rural areas, the institution is perceived by local citizens as independent and a valuable institution, upholding gender justice and cultural rights.  Providing focused attention on the abuse of women, this paper offers insights from empirical evidence in KwaZulu-Natal on the prominent role played by senior women traditional leaders in addressing women abuse in rural communities. https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/The_Thinker/article/view/534Traditional leadersOpinionArticle
spellingShingle Nkareng Klaas-Makolomakwe
Tanusha Raniga
A Critical Review of the Roles and Functions of Traditional Leaders
The Thinker
Traditional leaders
Opinion
Article
title A Critical Review of the Roles and Functions of Traditional Leaders
title_full A Critical Review of the Roles and Functions of Traditional Leaders
title_fullStr A Critical Review of the Roles and Functions of Traditional Leaders
title_full_unstemmed A Critical Review of the Roles and Functions of Traditional Leaders
title_short A Critical Review of the Roles and Functions of Traditional Leaders
title_sort critical review of the roles and functions of traditional leaders
topic Traditional leaders
Opinion
Article
url https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/The_Thinker/article/view/534
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