PhDRDV / Institute for Rural Development

MA (Anthropolgy) / Centre for African Studies / Commemorative structures like walls of remembrance, statues and monuments are representatives of social narratives and they usually represent the current political order. They also represent heroes deemed important by the current political regime. These structures, together with the corresponding narrative, can either be of local, regional or national importance. Nghunghunyani was a Gaza Nguni king who reigned in southern Mozambique in 19th century. His statue in the town of Giyani is a case in point. Nghunghunyani fought wars and entered into negotiations with the Portuguese in southern Mozambique in order to keep the land of his forefathers. However, the erection of his statue sparked controversy and has been met with resentment and rejection among the people of the region where it has been placed. This study aimed to elucidate the reasons behind the resentment and the rejection of the statue. This was done by examining the history of the homeland of Gazankulu and of the clans of the region in order to understand the ethnic enclaves of the Tsonga and the Shangaan, and the political undercurrents involved in the erection of a statue which is undeniably of national significance, but problematic locally and regionally. As heroes are imbedded in collective memory and collective narratives, the theory of collective memory following on Maurice Halbwachs was used. The discussion on ethnicity was directed by the ethnicity theories of Webber and Geertz. The interview was employed as the tool for collecting data, which elucidated that Nghunghunyani is not part of their founding heroes and that their praise poems do not include this historical figure. It appears that in as much as Nghunghunyani is a regional hero, his representation in Giyani is clouding the real history of the region and the debates are clouding the hero that King Nghunghunyani was. The study unveiled that Nghunghunyani is a nationally celebrated hero who cannot be contextualised positively in the local context amongst Tsonga speaking tribes and chiefdoms due to the nature of the hostile historical relationship between the ancestors of these groups and the Gaza Nguni.

PhDRDV / Institute for Rural Development / In other parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Traditional Councils (TCs) have always been central to the governance of rural communities. In South Africa, they were restructured in 2003 in order to promote effective leadership and good governance. According to the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act 41 of 2003, TCs are responsible for land administration, promotion of peace and stability, facilitating service delivery and building sustainable social cohesion in rural communities, among others. In Vhembe District, for example, land disputes, violent protests and xenophobic attacks are experienced. This situation raises the question whether TCs are really functional. Multi stage stratified random sampling was used to select six out of the 43 TCs in the Vhembe District for the purpose of the current study. Age, gender and degree of rurality were considered when selecting respondents. Using the exploratory sequential mixed methods design, a series of studies were conducted to suggest a functionality index for TCs. The first study was conducted to clarify the meaning of rural development as perceived by grassroots communities. Focus group discussions, observation and preference ranking were used to collect data in the six TCs. Using Atlas Ti version 7.5 software, standard of living, service provision, empowerment, agricultural practice, economic development, shopping malls, indigenous culture and traditions, competent human resource and spatial planning were identified as key elements of rural development. The Friedman test of the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to calculate the mean ranks of the identified themes. Most respondents (mean rank 7.57) defined rural development in terms of service delivery with construction of shopping centres (mean rank 3.90) and promotion of culture ( mean rank 3.65) being the least popular views. Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P < 0. 01) confirmed service delivery and standard of life to be the most preferred indicators of rural development. The second study was to explain the roles of TCS in developing rural communities. In addition to reviewing previous literature and legislations, focus group discussions, observations and preference ranking techniques were used to explain the roles of TCs in rural development. Service delivery, land administration, management of resources, social welfare, administration of justice, economic development, records keeping, recruitment of investors, moral regeneration, culture and tradition, and communication were identified as key roles of TC in developing rural communities. The Friedman test was performed to calculate the mean ranks of each of the identified roles. The results indicated that provisioning of service delivery (mean rank 7.34) was the most preferred role TCs are expected to perform in developing rural communities with communication (mean rank 4.75) being the least preferred. Wilcoxon signedrank test (P=0.00) indicated that there was a remarkable significance difference between the most recognised role of TC (service delivery) and the other three (communication, culture and moral regeneration) which were identified as less important in the current study. It was evident in the study that various government policies that defines the roles of TCs did not provide specific duties traditional councillors should perform within the listed fields of functional domains. The third study was carried out to determine the major attributes of functional TCs in the Vhembe District of South Africa. Leadership and governance, resources, organisational structure, development programmes and social cohesion were the main five attributes of functional TCs identified in the study. Friedman test was computed to establish the mean ranks of each of the identified attributes. The study revealed that effective leadership and good governance (mean rank 3.71) was the most attribute contributing to the functionality of TCs in Vhembe rural communities with social cohesion (mean rank 2.03) being the least identified. The results of Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P < 0.01) indicated a significance difference only to those pairs of variables including social cohesion. Therefore, the study concluded that social cohesion was the least preferred attribute of functional TCs. The results of the study were used to develop an index for measuring the functionality of TCs in rural development. The equation is in the form: 􀜻􀯜 􀵌 􀟤 􀵅 􀟚􀬵􀜴 􀵅 􀟚􀬶􀜵 􀵅 􀟚􀬷􀜦􀜲 􀵅 􀟚􀬸􀜵􀜥 􀵅 􀟚􀬹􀜮􀜩 􀵅 􀟳 To become functional, traditional councillors should be equipped with leadership and governance skills for rural development. Based on the findings of the current study, it is further recommended that provisioning of basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity in Vhembe rural communities be prioritized over other programmes for development discussed in the study. Furthermore, the study recommends for establishment of guidelines explaining the roles of TCs and to be translated in local languages. / NRF

MPM / OR Institute for Governance and Policy Studies / The study was carried out at Thulamela Local Municipality within Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo Province in the Republic of South Africa. The study is about an investigation into the role of traditional leadership in community development: A case of Thulamela Local Municipality. In South Africa, municipalities, especially those which are found in rural areas, are faced with challenges that sometimes hamper development and thus service delivery to clients. These challenges are sometimes as a result of the way traditional leaders execute their role in service delivery in their areas. It is in this context that this study attempts to investigate the role of traditional leadership in community development and how this impacts on service delivery. Only quantitative method was used to collect data. Questionnaires were formulated and conducted to traditional leaders in Thulamela Local Municipality. Questionnaires were designed and administered to traditional leaders in Thulamela Local Municipality. The study seeks to investigate the role that traditional leaders play and how they can be capacitated to improve service delivery. The study seeks to find ways through which traditional leaders can be capacitated to perform their roles effectively in their communities. This study established clearly that traditional leaders play a role in maintaining law and order in their communities. It also became evident with this study that communication between traditional leaders and ward councillors leaves much to be desired. It revealed a trend that traditional leaders are needed, especially when communities embark on protests. / NRF

MA (Tshivenda) / Senthara ya M.E. R. Mathivha ya Nyambo dza Afrika, Vhutsila na Mvelele / Muvhuso wa vhukoḽoni u tshi swika kha ḽino ḽa Afrika Tshipembe hu vhonala hu tshi nga wo vha wo ḓisa nḓaḓo na masiandaitwa mivhusoni ya vhongwaniwapo vha vharema, vhe vha vhonala vha tshi nga vho vha vho dzula zwavhuḓi ḽo lala. U bva zwenezwo hu vhonala hu tshi nga yo sia nḓaḓo na masiandaitwa azwo. Zwi vhonala zwi tshi vho nga tshilonda tshi sa phuphei tshine tsha dzulela u ṅweka tshi sa fholi u swika na ṋamusi. Ndivho ya iyi ṱhoḓisiso ndi u ita tsenguluso ya tsudzuluswo ya vhuluvha ha vhalanda u bva kha vhurangaphanḓa ha sialala u ya kha vhorapoḽotiki vha muvhuso tshiṱirikini tsha Vhembe. Muṱoḓisisi u ḓo shumisa ngona nthihi fhedzi, ndi ngona ya khwaḽithethivi. Kha ngona ya khwaḽithethivi muṱoḓisisi u ḓo kuvhanganya mafhungo awe nga u shumisa mbudzisavhathu na mbudziso. Vhurangaphanḓa ha sialala vhu vhonala vhu tshi nga vhu ḓo vhuelwa nga u luvhiwa, u ṱhonifhiwa, u wana mashango avho murahu khathihi na u ḓo swikelela kha u vha tshipiḓa tsha komiti ya vhusimamilayo ya muvhuso wa masipala, tshiṱirikini tsha Vhembe, vunduni ḽa Ḽimpopo. Ṱhoḓisiso iyi yo livha kha u tandulula thaidzo ya u sudzuluswa ha vhuluvha ha vhadzulapo u bva kha vhurangaphanḓa ha sialala u ya kha vhorapoḽotiki vha muvhuso. Ṱhoḓisisoni iyi hu vhonala zwi tshi nga hu ḓo konanywa vhurangaphanḓa ha sialala na vhorapoḽotiki, u tandulula thaidzo ya u sudzuluswa ha vhuluvha, u sa vha hone ha tshumisano vhukati ha vhurangaphanḓa ha sialala na vhorapoḽotiki vha muvhuso, u sa vha hone ha komiti ya ṱhanganelano masipalani, vhurangaphanḓa ha sialala na vhorapoḽotiki vha vhonala vha tshi ḓo ḓivha nḓila dzine vha nga dzi tevhela u vhuedzedza mashango kha vhaṋe vhao. Ṱhanganelano ya vhuvhusi ha shango na komiti ya mahosi, zwi vhonala i tshi nga vha yone nḓila ine ya nga fhelisa mifhirifhiri na pfhudzungule tshiṱirikini tsha Vhembe, vunduni ḽa Ḽimpopo, Afrika Tshipembe. / NRF

Chiefs in Malawi have traditionally been part of the government machinery since colonial days and continue to play a crucial role in development administration even more so in decentralized structures. They are able upon to mobilize communities in rural areas to initiate and implement community development projects with minimal supervision. Malawi Social Action Fund 1 (MASAF 1) project management approach, which centered on community ownership of projects and registered enormous successes, is a case in proof of this. However, distribution of power and roles between chiefs and local government authorities in view of decentralization demand more research and policy debate if chiefs are to be effectively utilized and for the decentralization process to work effectively. Whilst the local authorities derive their power from the control of 5% of revenue collected in the districts, which they are allocated, chiefs derive theirs from the legitimacy they have over their subjects for being in constant touch with the community. / Development Studies / M.A. Social Science (Development Studies)

Chiefs in Malawi have traditionally been part of the government machinery since colonial days and continue to play a crucial role in development administration even more so in decentralized structures. They are able upon to mobilize communities in rural areas to initiate and implement community development projects with minimal supervision. Malawi Social Action Fund 1 (MASAF 1) project management approach, which centered on community ownership of projects and registered enormous successes, is a case in proof of this. However, distribution of power and roles between chiefs and local government authorities in view of decentralization demand more research and policy debate if chiefs are to be effectively utilized and for the decentralization process to work effectively. Whilst the local authorities derive their power from the control of 5% of revenue collected in the districts, which they are allocated, chiefs derive theirs from the legitimacy they have over their subjects for being in constant touch with the community. / Development Studies / M.A. Social Science (Development Studies)

Text in English / The Batau of Kgaphola are of Swazi origin and migrated to Sekhukhuneland Limpopo Province in South Africa. The community has been involved in chieftainship disputes which date back to 1954 after the death of Chief Lobang III. Within the broader national political framework and execution of policies, the community became divided between the Makhuduthamaga and the Rangers. The Makhuduthamaga were anti-government and the Rangers pro-government. Each of the two groups gained the support of community members. The failure of the royal family to agree on who should lead the community after the death of Chief Lobang III led to a division from within. The former Lebowa government and the current Limpopo government intervened into the Batau chieftainship disputes without success. Commissions such as the Lekoloane, Ralushai and Nhlapo were established to deal with chieftainship disputes but this did not assist communities including the Batau of Kgaphola. The Kgatla Commission was also established and communities are still appearing before it and the Batau are still waiting to present their case. The study explores how the Batau of Mphanama dealt with their differences relating to chieftainship within the community and this instituted external intervention. It also uncovers how disputes within the royal family have affected members of the community and led to divisions. In the final instance the effect of decades of external political intervention and governance is evaluated. / Anthropology and Archaeology / M.A. (Anthropology)

This article explores the beginnings of Mesoamerican civilization (meaning the origins of institutionalized, hereditary inequality, rank societies, and chiefdoms) during the Early Formative period (1900-100 BC). Before one can identify the processes of socio-political evolution it is first necessary to identify concrete examples of societies, and their attributes, which underwent this transformation. I outline data for six Mesoamerican cases of the shift from egalitarian societies to chiefdoms. Four of them are from the Tropical lowlands (Paso de la Amada, San Lorenzo, Puerto Escondido, and Cahal Pech), and two are from the Mexican Highlands (Tlapacoya and San José Mogote). / Este artículo trata acerca de los inicios de la civilización en Mesoamérica, es decir, los orígenes de la complejidad social, las desigualdades hereditarias institucionalizadas, las sociedades diferenciadas por rangos y las jefaturas durante el Periodo Formativo Temprano (c. 1900-100 a.C.). Antes de que se puedan discernir los procesos de evolución sociopolítica, primero es necesario identificar ejemplos concretos de sociedades, y sus atributos correspondientes, que experimentaron esa transformación. Aquí se resaltan los datos de seis casos del cambio de sociedades igualitarias a jefaturas de Mesoamérica: cuatro de tierras bajas tropicales (Paso de la Amada, San Lorenzo, Puerto Escondido y Cahal Pech) y dos de la sierra de México (Tlapacoya y San José Mogote).

Les Ndengese occupent avec les Ikolombe, Isolu et Yaelima, la région qui est devenue le Territoire administratif de Dekese dans la cuvette centrale de la R.D.Congo. Cette thèse ne prétend être qu’une simple introduction à l’étude de la société ndengese. Elle est une perspective micro-politique inscrite dans la longue durée pour comprendre les institutions et les pratiques politiques, en intégrant les dimensions des idéologies et de la culture. Elle a été sensible à l’enchevêtrement des logiques sociales et aux « jeux d’échelles » pour analyser les phénomènes sociaux transversaux en y croisant situations, langages et époques différentes (précoloniale, coloniale et postcoloniale). Fondée sur des sources variées, elle a bénéficié des apports de plusieurs disciplines afin de cerner les différentes manifestations du politique. Anthropologie et histoire en constituent l’épine dorsale. <p>C’est essentiellement un mode de lecture du fait politique, les chefferies à travers les âges: conditions d’émergence et d’institutionnalisation, sources de légitimité, supports territoriaux et symboliques, fonctionnement réel, enjeux et conflits. L’analyse de tels processus a nécessité la prise en compte de la dispersion des idées politiques dans les institutions sociales et familiales, la religion, la littérature, l’art et l’économie. On n’a pas négligé pourtant, leurs liens à l’ordre social et les rapports avec les structures politico-administratives étatiques dans lesquelles les chefferies sont enchâssées. Cette dissertation a combiné deux grandes perspectives du pouvoir politique :symbolique et sociologique. Dans la perspective symbolique renouvelée, une des entrées principales a été celle de la « mise en scène » du pouvoir, dans des contextes variés, pour assurer sa légitimité. A été ainsi mis en exergue le concept de « traditions », renvoyant aux analyses de Hobsbawm et Ranger (1983). Cette perspective de l’ethnologie classique du pouvoir politique a été complétée par celle de la sociologie politique davantage tournée vers la « domination » au sens wébérien, les enjeux et relation de pouvoir, ainsi que l’étude des comportements des acteurs :stratégies et tactiques individuelles et collectives. On s’est intéressé aux dynamiques politiques locales produites à travers l’interaction entre les facteurs internes et externes, et aux modalités de réception, d’interprétation et d’appropriation afin d’y lire un peu de « sens ». En cela, cette thèse est « une anthropologie des mondes contemporains » (Augé 1994) avec un arrière-fond historique important. Elle a privilégié l’analyse des interactions aussi bien rituelles qu’administratives. Ces regards croisés du pouvoir politique local ont ainsi permis d’articuler ce qu’Olivier de Sardan (2005) appelle « ethnographie classique et socio-anthropologie des espaces publics en Afrique ». <p> / Doctorat en Sciences politiques et sociales / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished