Demystifying and Determining the Role of Traditional Leadership in Ward Committee Participation

This article aimed to demystify and determine the role of traditional leaders in the participation of municipal Ward Committee meetings in local municipalities. A desktop review of secondary sources was prepared in collecting data relevant to traditional leadership and ward committee participation. This is motivated by the fact that there is no consensus on their role in westernoriented democracy. Various pieces of legislation have directed their participation in ward committee meetings. This article has revealed a deliberate effort to exclude traditional leaders from participating in municipal council meetings, despite pieces of legislation requiring them to do so. This article recommends that traditional leaders be fully recognized and be allowed to play their role just like any elected politician because they are more legitimate than the latter. The article further recommends that there be a division of the country into rural and urban municipal councils where they would fully participate in the affairs of their people. In conclusion, it is also imperative to note that the two structures, namely elected and traditional, both represent the interests of the same people.