Abstract:
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.
