The effects of traditional leadership on spatial distribution in rural areas : a case of Motantanyane Village, Limpopo Province

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of traditional leadership on spatial distribution in rural areas at Motantanyane Village. Despite the 29 years of democracy, local governments in South Africa, particularly those in rural areas, have endured challenges due to a dualistic government, which has led to fragmented and distorted spatial distribution, impeding service provision and societal development. Some of these challenges arose because of the existence of traditional leadership institutions and their practices on the spatial planning, distribution and management in rural areas. Local authorities have allocated land to people in areas that are not habitable such as wetlands, flat plains and land designated as agricultural land. Traditional leaders have been criticised for using traditional spatial allocation systems such as the customary patrilineal approach that have been in place since the 1800s. As a result, the municipal and traditional systems often act autonomously, making it difficult for local governments to deliver basic services when land is given or leased without their consent. The study was undergirded by the Collaborative Learning Theory and the Great Man Theory. The study employed a mixed methods research approach to provide a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the research topic. A combination of purposive sampling and systematic sampling techniques was adopted to solicit the information needed for the study. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from the Chief, Traditional Councils and Household Heads in Motantanyane Village. On the other hand, an unstructured interview schedule was employed to collect qualitative data from the Municipal Officials at Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality. The study consisted of 86 participants sampled from the target population. The study used a thematic analysis tool to analyse the qualitative data, and the IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0 was used to analyse the quantitative data. The research findings revealed that traditional leadership is still a crucial form of government in rural areas, although it is founded on inefficiencies surrounding the spatial development affairs of rural areas. It has become evident that the independence of traditional leadership in spatial administration has created an insurmountable barrier to sustainable rural development. Local governments are unable to provide basic services such as water and electricity due to spatial fragmentation, which has hampered rural development. The poorly organised spatial settings make service delivery more expensive for municipalities, and the allocation of land in areas that are not habitable. In conclusion, due to the fragmented landscape, traditional leaders were found to be a contributing factor to the underdevelopment and poor service delivery in rural areas. Thus, the study recommended that local government and traditional leadership should collaborate in the administration of land to promote sustainable spatial development. Additionally, the local government should assign land experts who can collaborate closely with traditional leaders in rural communities. The cooperation between these two institutions must be guided by a single spatial distribution plan that will specify how the land in villages will be arranged.