Exploring Learning in Community Leadership: Case of Umhlabuyalingana Mxolisi E. Mthembu 201506885 Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for Masters in education (Adult Education) School of Education University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus 2019 i Declaration of work I, Mxolisi E. Mthembu declare that: a) The work is my original work, except where declared. b) To the best of my knowledge, the work reported herein, has not been submitted for any other purpose or degree or examination at any other institution or university. c) The thesis does not contain any other person’s work data, pictures, graphs, other information, unless otherwise specified (cited) or quoted. d) Where words used directly or quoted or words copied or re-written such work has been cited correctly. Mxolisi E. Mthembu Date ____________________________ ___________________________ Academic Supervisor: Dr. Zamokwakho A. N. Hlela _____________________________ ___________________________ ii Abstract Learning, the acquisition of knowledge and skills via study, experience or general instruction is an essential part of leadership. While leadership in our modern societies are exposed to many forms of learning, the same cannot be said of their rural counterparts, even though they face similar challenges. It is therefore important to explore and understand how, what and where rural leaders access learning. Focusing on democratically and constitutionally elected leadership, including traditional leadership, this study seeks to investigate learning (how, what and where) among community leaders, using Ward 16 of the Umhlabuyalingana Local Municipality as a case study. Ward 16 of the Umhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, is one of the five local municipalities under the Umkhanyakude District Municipality (in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa), and is a deeply rural area, with predominantly people of African descent. The study which was located within an interpretivist paradigm, employed the qualitative approach, using a case study. Data was collected through face-to-face, semi- structured interviews in addition to transect walks and focus group sessions. The study, through the exploration of three key learning contexts for local leadership in rural setting are: municipal (democratically and constitutionally elected), traditional (mostly not elected) and community activism. It is the belief of the study that once there is an understanding of what, where and how they access learning, communities would be better served by different role-players like non-governmental organisations, municipalities, development agencies and government entities. It was found that community leaders are exposed to various types and forms of learning which are formal, informal and non-formal. However, tertiary learning was conspicuously absent. The study recommended that there must be efforts to seek, investigate and maximise understanding of the rural dynamics – leadership, learning and community structures. This would mean to review the role and status of traditional leadership. An establishment of satellite tertiary institutions as a form of formal learning and educational entities for the development and benefit of community. iii Abbreviations ABET : Adult Basic Education and Training AIDS : Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome COGTA : Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs CPP : Centre for Public Participation DMA : District Management Area Dr. : Doctor ELT : Experiential Learning Theory HIV : Human Immunodeficiency Virus HSRC : Human Sciences Research Council IDP : Integrated Development Plan IDT : Independent Development Trust Km : Kilometres KZN : KwaZulu-Natal LED : Local Economic Development LG Seta : Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority MDB : Municipal Demarcation Board NGO : Non-governmental organisation NPDE : National Professional Teacher’s Diploma pl : plural PR : Proportional Representative SASSA : South African Social Security Agency SGB : School-Governing Body Sing : Singular SUB A : Sub-standard Class (Grade R, reception grade at lower primary level of schooling) TVET : Technical and Vocational Education and Training UKZN : University of KwaZulu-Natal UNDP : United Nations Development Program UNESCO : United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization iv Key vernacular terms in IsiZulu translated into English Listed below are some of the terms that are key throughout the thesis. These terms are in IsiZulu and thus require a translation into English. It is important to define these terms early, so that the person reading the thesis would better understand and follow the discussion of the thesis. Some of the terms relate directly leadership and the context of this study. The terms are not presented in any order of priority, they are presented in an alphabetical order. Abanummzane (pl) – headmen of the household, (sing: umnumzane) Amagosa (pl) – (sing: Igosa) is a leader of Indlamu (traditional dance), usually formed from a village Amathwasa (pl) – (sing: Ithwasa) an initiate (trainee) traditional healer Ibutho (noun) – Ukubuthwa (verb) it is a stage where men get organised traditionally, as a group of trainees that at some stage qualify as warriors. When men get to this stage, they are regarded as mature men. They are regarded as mature or old enough to protect and defend their families, village and clan or grouping under the leadership. They get trained or led by someone that would have been trained to lead that particular group (mostly village based troop). It means that person must have particular knowledge and skills. That leader is called Induna yebutho Ilima – an act of communal ploughing, or an ancient communal traditional ploughing practice, mostly at the level of the village Imikhandlu yabo – a term that is derived from (sing) Umkhandlu, meaning council. Imikhandlu yabo (pl: meaning their councils) Indlamu - traditional dance Induna (sing) – traditional leader, Headman (pl: izinduna), acting on behalf of the King or Chief Injemane – unique and traditional beer that is brewed mainly in Umhlabuyalingana Inkosi (sing) – (pl: Amakhosi) traditional leader, the King or Chief, acting on behalf of Isilo Iphoyisa leNduna – messenger of Induna that is also responsible for other traditional and customary duties, which are sometimes performed on behalf of Induna v Iqhikiza – head lady or girl that is senior to other girls, she must be knowledgeable in bringing up and guiding young girls. Responsible in a jurisdiction of her village Isigodi – village, being the lowest geographical sub-category (level) of the land of isizwe (chieftaincy). Villages are a basis of where people reside and they form Isizwe or jurisdiction of the area of Inkosi. Villages are mostly defined by traditional and orally known boundaries Isilo – most senior of them all in the hierarchy of traditional leadership in the Kingdom of the Zulu, especially as it pertains to the geographical coverage within the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The Kingdom of AmaZulu has traces that stretch as far as Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe, there is a trace of KwaBulawayo which is one of the Kingdoms that were established by Ilembe uShaka. Ilembe uShaka established the Kingdom of AmaZulu. Shaka King’s or Chief’s act on behalf of Isilo. Sometimes referred to as Ngangelizwe Lakhe, or Ingonyama yeSizwe samaZulu, Ingonyama yamaBandla onke (meaning that all Kings or Clans – Izizwe zezibongo zamaZulu fall under his rule or authority). They are referred to in AmaZulu (Zulu speaking) as amabandla, clans). Umlomo ongathethi manga (mouth that does not dare speak lie) Isizwe (sing) – Chieftaincy (pl: Izizwe) that is led by a particular clan name or traditional authority or traditional house Izagoma (pl) – (sing: Isangoma) traditional spiritual healers or fortune tellers Izibonda (pl) – (sing: Isibonda) – traditional men that assist Induna with customary matters of the village Izimbizo (pl) – (sing: imbizo) IsiZulu traditional term meaning a village meeting, mainly called by Induna or Inkosi Izinganekwane – fairy-tail, traditional stories usually told by elderly people in the family Izinyanga (pl) – (sing: Inyanga) traditional healers Izithakazelo – praise name of a clan Nguni - is the collective name for a major group of Bantu-speaking peoples belonging to the different groups of the Southern African region. These Bantu groupings are defined by Nguni dialects, which include their language and sub-regional occupation. Namely – AmaZulu, vi AmaMpondo, AmaXhosa, AmaSwati, AmaNdebele, AmaPedi, Tswana, Tsonga, Sotho, Venda and AmaHlubi. Ubuganu – beer that is locally brewed in Umhlabuyalingana. Ubuganu is brewed from amaganu Ubuntu – an act of humanity filled with humanly values, which is rooted in African teachings Ukubumba – a skill to use of clay to make clay pots and other household objects Ukubuthwa – being trained as a warriors, especially for young males Ukufunda uze ufe – meaning that learning is life-long wide, literally meaning learning until their last breath Ukuganda – crushing dry corn or maize; in order to make it Ukulapha ngendlela yeSintu – traditional way of healing Ukuluka amacansi – a skill to make of various traditional handcrafts such as traditional mats and other traditional objects Ukuphahleka – to paste mud as a traditional skill in building or finalising the building of traditional hut walls Ukupheka – to cook Ukwelusa – herding cattle Ulincela ebeleni – suggests that language skills are acquired from birth. symbolising the women’s role and as a parent and a key