The Perceptions of the Traditional Leaders on the Role of Ubuntu in Conflict Resolution: The Case of Malamulele and Vuwani Conflict in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Study Purpose: Conflict erupted between Vatsonga of Malamulele and Vhavenda of Vuwani over service delivery since 2016 but to date the conflict has not been completely resolved. The Vatsonga claimed that critical services such as electricity, water, roads and sporting facilities and many more, which they needed for the enhancement of the quality of their lives, were being directed towards the Vhavenda communities at their expense by the Thulamela Local Municipality which they perceived to be dominated politically by Vhavenda-speaking municipal officials. The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of the traditional leaders on the role and efficacy of ubuntu in the resolution of Vuwani-Malamulele conflict. The study was framed with the meta theory of ubuntu. This theory is encapsulated in the well-known adage munhui munhu hi vanhu vanwani loosely translated a person is a person because of other persons. Materials and Methods: A qualitative inquiry was undertaken, with a total of 10 traditional leaders sampled purposively for face-to-face interviews in this paper. They were selected on the basis of their active participation in conflict. Results, Discussion and Conclusion: The study found that while the traditional leaders of both groups continue to believe in the value of ubuntu’s relevance in the resolution of conflict of this nature, the principles, values, and ideals of ubuntu were marginalised. The thinking which underpinned the attempts at resolving this problem was rooted in the modernist-colonial values and ideals imposed by apartheid system.