Investigating the role, relevance and challenges of traditional authorities in Democratic local governance in South Africa: a case study of Jozini Local Municipality
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Date
2023
Authors
Mngomezulu, Bonginkosi Ziphathe
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
This study explored the role, relevance, and challenges of traditional authorities in democratic local governance in South Africa including Jozini local municipality. The study used qualitative, exploratory and interpretative approaches. Secondary data collection and analysis was used to establish the basis for the findings. The study emanate from the fact that traditional authorities have existed and transformed from pre-colonial era, colonial and apartheid era, however, in independence and democratic era its role is not clearly defined. Literature explored demonstrated that before colonialism, the institution of traditional leadership was the only governance system practiced by Africans including South
Africans. The system of traditional leadership was respected as the bond that bonded communities. Traditional leaders before colonialism performed functions such as allocation of land, protecting the community against attacks, leading warfare, custodians of communal resources and many other governance roles within their tribes and nations. This study demonstrated that traditional leadership wielded power and authority that was unchallenged.
However, the position and role of traditional authority in governance transformed drastically during the advent of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa. Colonialism used the strategies of direct and indirect rule to ensure that they manipulate traditional leaders for their gain. During the colonial and apartheid era, traditional leadership was forced to abandon traditional governance and implemented colonial and apartheid legislation. Those traditional authorities that resisted the implementation of colonial and apartheid legislations were dethroned. Fearing to lose their positions, some traditional leaders collaborated and ruled according to foreign power which made them lose trust from their communities. The study established that traditional leadership neither returned to the position it was before colonialism nor transformed for the better. Data and literature on contemporary governance and political discourses reveal that traditional leadership is recognized in the constitution and other pieces of legislation, however, traditional leadership view that recognition as vague and ambiguous because it does not state how they must function in democratic governance, especially local governance.
The study further explored the role, relevance, and challenges of traditional authorities in Jozini LM. The study established that traditional leaders and municipality in Jozini has a workable and desirable relationship. In Jozini LM, the study uncovered that 86% of the land is under the ITB, fully controlled by traditional authorities. Government at all levels including Jozini LM rely on traditional leaders for land to develop service delivery infrastructure. The held view is that the land question in Jozini LM has coerced the municipality to work closely with traditional leaders despite legislation that does not fully recognize the role of traditional leaders in municipal governance and service provision. The other view attributed good relations between traditional leadership and the municipality to the fact that the IFP is the controlling party and is known for its position when it comes to the role and inclusion of traditional leadership in governance. The study
concluded by recommending legislative reforms and administrative paradigm shift to address the challenges of traditional leadership. The recommendations further proposed primary research that might address most recent questions emanating from this study since this study was secondary research.
Description
Dissertation (M.A.(Governance and Political Transformation))--University of the Free State, 2023