Master’s for Municipal Official Despite Health Setbacks

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Ms Ntombizodwa Mdluli, the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) Manager at Umhlathuze Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, overcame ill health to graduate with a Master of Public Administration degree from UKZN.

Mdluli, a mother of four, says during her studies she was diagnosed with endometrial cancer which led to depression and then twice contracted COVID-19 which delayed the completion of her degree. 

‘Throughout my degree I was in and out of hospital battling to meet submission deadlines - without the help and support of my doctors - in particular my gynaecologist and my psychiatrist - my family, friends and colleagues, I wouldn’t have made it through.’

The Role of Traditional Leadership in Integrated Development Planning: A Case Study of uMhlathuze Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province, was the title of her thesis supervised by Professor Purshottama Reddy of the Discipline of Public Governance.

She said her research was triggered by her experience as an IDP practitioner responsible for managing and co-ordinating the development and implementation of IDP as well as to monitor the implementation of an IDP Process plan in line with the municipal budget. Most important was co-ordinating and ensuring the involvement of all stakeholders in the IDP process, including Amakhosi.

Commenting on her rationale for her topics she said: ‘In my years of doing IDP I didn’t fully understand the role and the contribution of Amakhosi towards the development and implementation of IDP in a municipality. I had seen the “us” and “them” approach towards development and that troubled me and encouraged me to dig deeper into the causes of the walls between the work of Amakhosi and those of councillors and to what extent contributions by Traditional Authorities are embraced.’

Hence, the study participants included Amakhosi, ward councillors and communities from the traditional authorities. The study findings revealed that gatekeeping and politics, lack of coordination, communication and community mobilisation for public consultations and participation, disputes over land ownership, and the ambiguity of roles and responsibilities were some of the limitations identified as major hindrances towards traditional leaders’ effective participation in the integrated development planning process at UMhlathuze Local Municipality.

The study further indicated that the government had not succeeded in empowering the institution of traditional leadership. The lack of budget, poor infrastructure resources, and minimal skills development were among failures by the government in developing traditional leadership institutions.

The study concluded that traditional leadership was a critical stakeholder for effective service delivery to the Municipality as they understood their role in the integrated development planning process.

‘I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor P S Reddy, for his guidance, patience, motivation, enthusiasm, and vast knowledge on this research project. His advice and constructive criticism were invaluable throughout.’

She says Reddy’s passion for research had inspired her and together they produced a paper presented at the IIAS-EUROMENA Conference in Rome in June 2022. The duo is awaiting feedback from the Journal of Public Administration about the work being published.

Mdluli is currently converting her dissertation into two research papers to be presented at the IASIA 2023/2024 Conference. One of the papers will be used as a proposal for her PhD project. ‘I see myself as a future research specialist, assisting other students, especially the young and underprivileged, and enlightening them about the joys of research.

‘My children have been a source of my strength throughout my studies. I thank them and am grateful for their exceptional support - they pushed, motivated, and encouraged me to complete this project. Even when I was concerned for my life, they ensured I ate properly and took my meds and had sufficient rest. Four years down the line, it can only be God’s hand at work!’

Proud of Mdluli’s achievement Reddy said: ‘Despite having health setbacks, Zodwa completed her dissertation - she was very motivated and focused.’

Words: Hazel Langa

Photograph: Rajesh Jantilal