Bridging Tradition and Tragedy to Overcome HIV/AIDS in Kwazulu/Natal: The Case of Chief Khanyile | August 2003

A study of bridging leadership in the KwaZulu/Natal, South Africa produced in cooperation with the Leadership Regional Network (LeaRN)

This examines bridging leadership among tribal council, provincial and local governments, business, civil society, NGOs, religious, and political parties.

Kwazulu/Natal is one of the largest and most populous provinces in South Africa. The Ekukhanyeni tribal community in the rural North of the province faces multiple problems. A history of poverty, lack of infrastructure, crime, and a clash of cultures severely complicate development efforts. The region is also the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa. Add to this litany the political rivalry between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), and the mistrust and misunderstanding that goes along with it, and the picture becomes all the more daunting. In the district of Inkandia, the chief of the Ekukhanyeni tribal community, Chief Khanyile, is a leader who has tried to foster peace, respect for human rights and democracy instead of conflict; all in an effort to develop a stable political climate and the conditions necessary to achieve development for all the people. This case describes the actions and strategies used by Chief Khanyile, and the considerable obstacles he faced along the way.

Bridging leadership is a style of leadership that focuses on creating and sustaining effective working relationships among key partners and stakeholders. By "bridging" different perspectives and opinions often found across the breadth of different stakeholders, a common agenda can begin to be developed and shared in order to solve social and economic problems.

Re-worked by Arlette Franks and edited by Steven D. Pierce

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