Potential Role of Ubuntu in the Enhancement of School Leadership in Botswana

Abstract

The chapter explores the potential role that the concept and practice of Ubuntu can be salvaged to inform school leadership in Botswana. Reference is made to traditional ways in which human development is conceived and treated in the Botswana Ubuntu cultural practice which is manifested in Leseya Maturity Stage (LMS), Ngwana Maturity Stage (NMS), Monana Maturity Stage (MMS), and Mogolo Maturity Stage (MgMS). The chapter argues that, at each of the development stages, an appropriate leadership style should be used as in situational leadership. For instance, at the LMS, a human being according to Lerner displays some inconsistencies in his or her behavior which is a perfect example of a reflection of shaky grasp of logic. The chapter asserts that there are adults as in teachers who may display such behaviors even though they may chronologically be adults. The chapter therefore argues that the concept of situational leadership should be used according to the contextual maturity of the led as per the Ubuntu concept. Ubuntu leadership styles can inform school leadership.