Preamble

The course examines leadership from an Afro-centric perspective of ubuntu. It is aimed at

bringing awareness to students that Africas destiny as an emerging market economy is linked
to leadership ability.
Course Objectives
The course has the following objectives:
To provide students with a deep understanding of leadership from an Afro-centric
perspective of ubuntu.
To bring awareness to students of the central role of leadership in the African
renaissance.
To examine the relationship and influence of culture, ethics, power dynamics, gender
stereotypes, and globalisation on leadership.
Course Content
1.0 THE NATURE OF LEADERSHIP
1.1Definitions
1.2 Myths and Realities about Leadership
1.3 Different Approaches to Leadership
1.3.1 Trait approach
1.3.2 Skills approach
1.3.3 Style approach
1.3.4 Situational approach
1.4 Leadership Styles
1.4.1 Servant Leadership
1.4.2 Transformational Leadership
1.4.3 Charismatic Leadership
2.0 THE AFRICAN LEADERSHIP PARADIGM
2.1 Nature of Indigenous Traditional African Leadership
2.2 A Model for African Leadership-Ubuntu
2.2.1 Lessons for organisational leadership from Ubuntu culture
2.3 Checks, Balances and Accountability in African Leadership
3.0 CULTURE AND LEADERSHIP
3.1 Culture Defined
3.2 Dimensions of Culture (by GLOBE researchers)
3.3 The Relationship between Culture and Leadership
3.3.1 Leaders as cultural stewards
3.4 Leadership Behaviours
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3.4.1 How different cultures view leadership behaviours

3.4.2 The African view of the ideal leader
3.5 Ethnocentrism and Prejudice as barriers to Effective Leadership
3.6 Globalisation and the need for Multi-cultural leaders
4.0 LEADERSHIP, GOVERNANCE AND ETHICS
4.1 Definition of Ethics and Morality
4.2 Theories of Ethics
4.3 Centrality of Ethics to Leadership
4.4 Principals of Ethical Leadership
4.4.1 Ubuntu and ethical leadership
4.5 Ethical Issues Confronting African Leadership
4.5.1 Corruption and poor governance
4.5.2 Succession
4.6 Reasons for Unethical Behaviour of Employees in Organisations
4.7 Strategies for Shaping Organisational Ethics
5.0 LEADERSHIP AND GENDER
5.1 Gender and Leadership Effectiveness
5.2 Gender and Leadership Styles
5.3 Barriers to Women Leadership
5.3.1 Culture
5.3.2 Gender differences and gender stereotypes
5.3.3 Child care responsibilities and household chores
5.3.4 Human Capital differences
5.4 The Glass-Ceiling
6.0 LEADERSHIP AND POWER
6.1 Power and Influence definitions
6.2 The Role of Power and Influence in Organisations
6.3 Sources and Types of Power
6.3.1 Physical power
6.3.2 Resource power
6.3.3 Position power
6.3.4 Expert power
6.3.5 Persona power
6.4 Methods of Influence
6.4.1 Overt methods
6.4.2 Unseen methods
6.5 How Leaders can Integrate Power and Influence

7.0 LEADERSHIP AND THE AFRICAN RENAISSANCE

7.1 Understanding the Concept of African Renaissance
7.1.1 Key pillars of the renaissance
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7.1.2 Reasserting cultural identity

7.1.3 Role of Traditional Leadership
7.2 Factors Hindering the African Renaissance
7.2.1 The threat of globalisation
7.2.2 Lack of leadership and commitment
7.2.3 Afro-pessimism
7.3 Leadership and Africas underdevelopment
Modus Operandi
Lectures
Tutorials
E-learning
Group discussion
Individual research
Assignments
Examinations
Assessment Structure
1. Coursework (30%)

One individual assignment

One group assignment

One in-class test

2. Final Examination (70%)

Individual Assignment (Due date- 23 April 2016)

Outline and describe the key features of the African Leadership paradigm. What lessons can
be drawn for organizational leadership from ubuntu cultures?
[25 marks]
Group Assignment (Due date- 30 April 2016)
Discuss the ethical issues confronting African Leadership. To what extent can Africas
underdevelopment be attributed to leadership failure? [25 marks]
All assignments MUST be computer typed as follows;
Font 12
Time New Roman
Spacing 1.5
Length 5000-10000 words

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Further Reading
Chiku, M. (2009). Understanding organisational leadership through ubuntu. Adonis &
Abbey Publishers Ltd.
Kwandiwe, K. (2014). Perspectives on thought leadership for Africas renewal. Africa
Institute of South Africa.
Mbigi, L. (2005). Spirit of African Leadership.
Mendonca, M. & Kanungo, R.N. (2006). Ethical Leadership. New York: McGraw Hill.
Northhouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice. London: SAGE Publications.

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