Zimbabwean traditional leaders: roles, regulations, and lineage
Traditional leaders play many roles in
Zimbabwean communities, culture and families.[1] They help to promote and uphold cultural values,[2] facilitate development and resolving of disputes in their communities. The institution of traditional leadership is regulated and monitored within the parameters of the
Constitution of Zimbabwe.[3][4] These leaders are put in position by the government of Zimbabwe[5][6] to work with the people. A
chief is not elected into office by popular vote, but through lineage, and is thus in office for life.[7]
Chakaipa, Stephen (2010) Local Government Institutions And Elections, Local Government Working Paper Series No. 4 2010, Community Law Centre University of the Western Cape. Available at
Local government reform in Zimbabwe
Fontein, J (2004) “‘Traditional Connoisseurs’ of the Past: The Ambiguity of Spirit Mediums and the Performance of the Past in southern Zimbabwe” Occasional Paper No 99. Centre of African Studies, University of Edinburgh.
Government of Zimbabwe (2012) Record of Chiefs in Zimbabwe as at 9 May 2012, Compiled by The Department of Traditional Leadership Support Services in the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development
Makumbe, John (2010) Local Authorities And Traditional Leadership Local Government Working Paper Series No 2, Community Law Centre, Cape Town, available at
Local government reform in Zimbabwe
Peel, John D.Y. and Terence O. Ranger (eds) (1983)
Past and Present in Zimbabwe, (Special Issue of Africa), Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1983, pp. 20–41
Sicilia, Olga (2011) Oratory in Mhondoro ritual spaces in northern Zimbabwe ―Traditional authority, power relations and local political structures, University of Vienna
Zimbabwean traditional leaders: roles, regulations, and lineage
Traditional leaders play many roles in
Zimbabwean communities, culture and families.[1] They help to promote and uphold cultural values,[2] facilitate development and resolving of disputes in their communities. The institution of traditional leadership is regulated and monitored within the parameters of the
Constitution of Zimbabwe.[3][4] These leaders are put in position by the government of Zimbabwe[5][6] to work with the people. A
chief is not elected into office by popular vote, but through lineage, and is thus in office for life.[7]
Chakaipa, Stephen (2010) Local Government Institutions And Elections, Local Government Working Paper Series No. 4 2010, Community Law Centre University of the Western Cape. Available at
Local government reform in Zimbabwe
Fontein, J (2004) “‘Traditional Connoisseurs’ of the Past: The Ambiguity of Spirit Mediums and the Performance of the Past in southern Zimbabwe” Occasional Paper No 99. Centre of African Studies, University of Edinburgh.
Government of Zimbabwe (2012) Record of Chiefs in Zimbabwe as at 9 May 2012, Compiled by The Department of Traditional Leadership Support Services in the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development
Makumbe, John (2010) Local Authorities And Traditional Leadership Local Government Working Paper Series No 2, Community Law Centre, Cape Town, available at
Local government reform in Zimbabwe
Peel, John D.Y. and Terence O. Ranger (eds) (1983)
Past and Present in Zimbabwe, (Special Issue of Africa), Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1983, pp. 20–41
Sicilia, Olga (2011) Oratory in Mhondoro ritual spaces in northern Zimbabwe ―Traditional authority, power relations and local political structures, University of Vienna