Traditional Leaders in a Democracy Resources, Respect and Resistance

MISTRA, "Traditional Leaders in a Democracy: Resources, Respect and Resistance"
English | ISBN: 0639923836 | 2019 | 402 pages | EPUB | 703 KB
Post-1994, South Africa’s traditional leaders have fought for recognition, and positioned themselves as major players in the South African political landscape. Yet their role in a democracy is contested, with leaders often accused of abusing power, disregarding human rights, expropriating resources and promoting tribalism. Some argue that democracy and traditional leadership are irredeemably opposed and cannot co-exist. Meanwhile, shifts in the political economy of the former bantustans − the introduction of platinum mining in particular − have attracted new interests and conflicts to these areas, with chiefs often designated as custodians of community interests.