Emergent Democracy and ‘Resurgent’ Tradition: Institutions, Chieftaincy and Transition in KwaZulu-Natal^*

Abstract

This article explores chieftaincy in democratic South Africa and particularly in KwaZuluNatal, where traditional leadership is particularly vocal and politically embedded.Informed by institutional theories the argument is made that here tradition is more persistent than 'resurgent' and that the relationship between ubukhosi (chieftaincy) and wider governance structures in the province and its relations with South Africa must be seen as part of a much longer history that exhibits both continuities and discontinuities.Indeed, the paper draw parallels between 'indirect rule' under colonialism and beyond, and current plans for involving traditional leaders in local governance but concludes that the analogy has limitations given the broader institutional context of post-apartheid South Africa. Drawing on historical analysis of KwaZulu-Natal and contemporary research among traditional leaders, municipal officials and councillors, as well as residents of traditional authority areas, we consider whether the current recognition of traditional authorities and the powers and functions accorded them, constitute a threat to South Africa's emergent democracy or serve as a site of stability in a politically volatile province.

“Traditional” Resolution of Land Conflicts: The Survival of Precolonial Dispute Settlement in Burundi

“…2. More skeptical voices make the critique that exclusionary traditional norms contradict universal human rights and stress that their persistence prevents the entrenchment of formal state institutions (Barron, Kaiser, & Pradhan, 2009;Beall, Mkhize, & Vawda, 2005;van Donge & Pherani, 1999). 3. http://ufdc.ufl.edu/derscheid 4.…”

“…The greater the distance to administrative centers, the lower the state's ability to effectively ensure availability and enforcement (Herbst, 2000;Soifer, 2006). Thus, the persistence of precolonial conflict-resolution mechanisms is most likely to occur in pockets of state weakness-peripheral areas where formal state institutions are not present, not capable, or not effectively enforced (Beall et al, 2005;Helmke & Levitsky, 2004;North, 1990;Tajima, 2013).…”

“…Academic and policy studies on communal conflict resolution tend to explain the persistence of precolonial institutions with reference to formal states' absence, weakness, or noninterference (Beall, Mkhize, & Vawda, 2005;Deininger & Castagnini, 2006;Mercy Corps, 2011;Tubiana et al, 2012). From such a perspective, traditional conflict resolution is seen to have remained intact in rural peripheries where colonial and postcolonial interventions were marginal and where state presence has always been fragile.…”

Gender mainstreaming in a South African provincial education department: a transformative shift or technical fix for oppressive gender relations?

“…Changing socio-economic conditions are felt in rural areas and associated with new technologies and greater mobility; but traditional leaders continue to play a part as decision-makers and many girls and women experience a web of patriarchal power relations that constrain their take-up of education opportunities (Beall, Mkhize, and Vawda 2005).…”

Political will, traditional leaders and the fight against HIV/AIDS: a South African case study

“…Beall et al (2005Beall et al ( , 2006 outlines three ways Chiefs have negotiated this tension. Some support the ANC and work comfortably with local municipalities.…”