Brave Enough to Build Bridges Through Dialogue: The Case of Chief Zibuse Mlaba | August 2003

A study of bridging leadership in the KwaZulu/Natal produced in cooperation with the Leadership Regional Network (LeaRN). It examines bridging leadership among business, civil society, different generations, government, and different communities.

Kwazulu/Natal differs from South Africa's other eight provinces in that it has a predominant tribe, the Zulu, while the others are comprised of a more diverse tribal mix. The Ximba people made their way to the province during the turbulent times of Zulu Kings Shaka and Dingaan, many settling near present-day Hammersdale, in a region called KwaXimba. Today, inter-tribal conflicts are also played out via politics and political parties, as is the case of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the party favored by the majority of Zulu people, and the African National Congress (ANC), supported by the Ximba. Political conflict often results in terrible violence. Chief Zibuse Mlaba inherited his position after his brother and his father before him, staunch ANC party members, were assassinated in politically motivated attacks. This case describes his efforts to bring peace and development to his people by building bridges between parties, which he hopes will lead to stable co-existence and collaboration. Advocating values based on democracy, peace and human rights, Inkosi Zibuse has frequently alienated supporters as well as suspicious rivals, often putting at perilous risk the projects he labors to carry out and his very life in the process.

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.

The study was re-worked by Arlette Franks and edited by Steven D. Pierce.

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