Leveraging on indigenous knowledge systems for leadership development in young men: Discernable lessons from Ulwaluko amongst Xhosa speakers.

Abstract

Ulwaluko or Traditional Male Circumcision is an old African practice that has survived years of criticism and attenuation of Western civilization through religion and education. With the growing Western influence on the continent, there is mounting questioning of the virtues of ulwaluko in some circles even amongst Africans themselves. Proponents of ulwaluko see the ritual as a potent tool for leadership development amongst young men. By adopting a qualitative research design, the authors collected data by interviewing young men who recently performed the ritual. Adopting a phenomenological approach helped the author understand the lived experiences of the target group.  The researcher found that over time, there have been influences that sought to weaken and derail the intended objectives of ulwaluko. The researcher also found that leadership development has always been and continues to be integral to the ritual. The recommendations from the study are that the custodians of African cultural beliefs, customs, and values should reclaim their scope of influence and dominance on cultural practices. Greater awareness also needs to be created of the virtues of ulwaluko particularly amongst the younger generations. The author concludes that ulwaluko still plays a pivotal and prominent role in leadership development amongst young African males and that its benefits cannot be undermined.  

Keywords: {'name': 'Ulwaluko, ritual, leadership, awareness, generation, Africans'}

Authors & affiliations

Nokuzola Gqeba
Affiliation not supplied

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

Barker, G. E., & Ricardo, C. (2005). Young men and the creation of masculinity in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for HIV/AIDS, conflict and violence. Washington DC: World Bank.

DOI: 10.1186/s42466-020-00059-z

Cherry,K. (2022).How Social Learning Theory Works. Retrived: https://www.verywellmind.com

Chingombe, S., & Higgs, P. (2019). Philosophical Reflections on Ubuntu in the context of Cooperative Learning. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333218713

Dornyei, Z. (2007). Research methods in applied linguistics: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodologies, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Duka-Ntshweni, (2013). Amakrwala experiences as learners in a Buffalo City secondary school: Implications for leadership and management, University of Fort Hare, Alice, SA.

Fana, W. (2019). Initiation: We should not allow mordenity to dictate our cultural practices, News24, 20 December.

Gqeba, L. M. (2019). Ibango. National Library of South Africa, Johannesburg

Gqeba, N. G. (2021). Exploring the Interaction Between School Governance and Traditional Leaders Regarding Ulwaluko, International Journal of Education and Research, Vol.9 no 4.

Hill, A., L., Tedards, E., Wild, J., & Weber, K. (2022). Good leaders need to be architects and catalysts of change, The Australian, 14 October.

Hollard, M. H., & Linvill, S. J. (2019). Important Considerations for Protecting Human Research Participants, Dimensions of Discovery, July-August.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p2789

Langa, J. (2014). Notions of sex, masculinity and manhood in African cultures, A Journal on African Women’s experiences.

Mcleod, S. (2023). Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, Simply Psychology, 25 July.

Mhlahlo, P. (2011). What is manhood? The significance of traditional circumcision in the Xhosa initiation ritual. Master’s Thesis, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch.

DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2011.554518

Ntombana,L (2011). An investigation into the role of Xhosa male initiation in moral regeneration. Ph.D. thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

Ntozini (2011). University male students’ perceptions on cultural relevance of traditional circumcision among the AmaXhosa in Eastern London, South Africa: 2nd Global Conference on Psychology Researches, 28-29, November 2014.

Nussbaum, B. (2003). ‘African culture and ubuntu: Reflections of a South African in America’, World Business Academy, 17(1): 1-12.

Phalafala, U. (2013). The Cow: A bridge between the living and the dead: https://www.apc.uct.ac.za

Prentice, W. (2004). Understanding Leadership, Harvard Business Review, January.

Ramakgopa, I. M. (2009). Developmental stages of an African child and their psychological implications: A comparative study (Doctoral thesis). Rand Afrikaans University, Pretoria: Retrieved from https://ujdigispace-uj.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10210/1614/DevelopmentalstagesofanAfricanchild.pdf?sequence=1

Sotuku, N. & Duku, N. S. (2014). Indigenous African theories in multicultural education in Okeke, C, Van Wyk, M & Phasha, N (Eds) Schooling, society and inclusive education, pp 17-38, Oxford University Press, Cape Town.

Tenny, S., Brannan, M. J., & Brannan, D. G. (2022). Qualitative Study, StatPearls Publishing LLC.

Ugwu, C. N. & Eze, V. H. U. (2023). Qualitative Research, Journal of Computer and Applied Sciences 8(1): 20-35.

DOI: 10.1080/13691050701861447

Wale, H. (2019). Leadership traits, Retrieved: https://www.corporatefinanceinstitute.com

Ward, S. (2023) What Is Leadership. Retrieved: https://www.thebalancemoney.com