What amaXhosa leadership practices can offer to the discourse on transformative leadership - Olwam Mnqwazi

This chapter argues that the amaXhosa leadership model, rooted in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, offers a transformative, community-centered alternative to Western-centric leadership paradigms. Drawing on oral traditions (amabali folktales, izibongo praise poetry) and Ubuntu philosophy, the author demonstrates how amaXhosa practices prioritize relational ethics, collective accountability, and social harmony over hierarchical authority. Leadership is inculcated from youth through communal mentorship, emphasizing service, arbitration, and dialogue. Chiefs govern alongside councils of peers, ensuring decisions reflect communal needs rather than autocratic rule. Critical checks on power, such as public critique by imbongi (praise singers), enforce transparency and ethical stewardship.

The model aligns with transformative leadership theory—particularly Eric Weiner’s emphasis on justice, equity, and critique of inequity—by fostering inclusive governance and redistributing resources to uplift communities. Historically, the amaXhosa integrated diverse groups into their polity, valuing unity over ethnic purity, and leaders like Nelson Mandela exemplify how these principles translate into modern, ethical governance. However, the chapter critiques the patriarchal bias in historical accounts, which often marginalize women’s roles, though maternal figures (e.g., grandmothers as knowledge custodians) hint at untapped contributions.

Methodologically, the study blends autoethnography with analysis of indigenous artifacts to decode cultural nuances, challenging Western research norms. It advocates for Afrocentric epistemologies in global leadership discourse, arguing that amaXhosa practices enrich understandings of democracy, accountability, and non-authoritarian authority. Yet, tensions persist between preserving cultural harmony and driving social change, particularly around gender equity.

Ultimately, the chapter positions amaXhosa leadership as a dynamic framework for ethical, inclusive governance, bridging tradition and modernity. It calls for reimagining leadership through African lenses, centering communal well-being, and addressing systemic inequities to foster just, resilient societies. This model not only critiques transactional Western frameworks but also offers actionable insights for global leadership in postcolonial and communal contexts

To read more, download the book chapter below and you can reference as follows:

Mnqwazi, O. (2024). What amaXhosa leadership practices offer to the discourse on transformative leadership. (Chapter 7). In: Swartz, S., De Kock, T and Odora Hoppers, C. (eds). Transformative leadership in African contexts: Strategies for just social change. Cape Town, SA: HSRC Press.

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