Analysis of the relevance of traditional leaders and the evolution of traditional leadership in Zimbabwe: A case study of amaNdebele

Abstract

This article analyses the Ndebele institution of traditional leadership in contemporary Zimbabwe. It traces the pre-colonial Ndebele traditional leadership in order to establish the changes that have occurred as well as their causes. The article highlights the importance of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS), especially in leadership which is highly controversial in Africa. Traditional leadership is the indigenous way RI OHDGHUVKLS ZKLFK FDQ LQ D JRRG ZD\ LQÁXHQFH FRQWHPSRUDU\ JRYHUQDQFH IRU WKHEHQHÀWRIWKHSHRSOH 7KHDUWLFOHWDNHVDQ$IURFHQWULFDSSURDFKZLWKDFOHDU understanding of the dynamism in culture. It then proceeds to reveal the problems (and their causes) within the traditional leadership institution in contemporary Zimbabwe. Finally, the article recommends solutions to the problems.