The legacy of indigenous African women

Women’s leadership has played a vital and yet varied role in numerous pre-colonial African societies. Women were highly respected for their wisdom and experience, fulfilling essential roles in the economy and households. They were crucial for farming, trade, and managing resources, which stabilised the economy, all while managing household affairs, and ensuring the welfare of families and upkeep of traditions. On the African continent, there is a rich history of women serving in leadership roles - for example, Queen Mothers, Queens and Regnants. This tradition continues today as we see women being freely elected as leaders of countries. Women also lead in traditional African religions. It is crucial to acknowledge the substantial gender disparity in highranking leadership roles, highlighting the ongoing challenge in achieving gender parity within leadership positions.

Dr Babalwa Mgoqwana, the interim Director for the Centre for Women and Gender Studies at Nelson Mandela University, suggests that recognising “uMakhulu” (grandmother or elder mother in isiXhosa) as a wellspring of knowledge can help us to connect different parts of life that we usually separate, like public and private domains, the household and governance, and knowledge and spirituality. By integrating this “informal” knowledge into our formal education systems, we acknowledge the close link between daily life and learning. This approach underscores that wisdom isn’t confined to academic settings, but is deeply rooted in ancient African values and experiences.

“If you educate a woman, you educate a nation” - this Ghanaian proverb is true to African women’s leadership style, offering a guiding principle for leaders around the world. It emphasises the transformative power of educating and empowering women, as they play pivotal roles in shaping the fabric of society. Leaders around the globe can uncover valuable lessons from “uMakhulu”. A significant lesson is the importance of tapping into the wisdom of African women and their indigenous knowledge. African women have long been the keepers of ancient knowledge, culture, and traditions, making them an invaluable resource for sustainable leadership. Lastly, being a leader, especially for African women, means being deeply connected to their communities, much like traditional African leadership models. This involves acting as mediators, advisors, and champions of social harmony while drawing upon the rich tapestry of indigenous knowledge to guide the way toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.

A trio of remarkable village women: my own mother, Nwabisa Shude, and my two aunts, stand as living embodiments of intelligence, liberation, and unwavering resilience. These incredible women have broken through traditional gender barriers to hold significant managerial and executive roles in diverse fields. They are a living testament to the legacy of raising leaders by their mothers and grandmothers, including my now 96-year-old grandmother, affectionately known by her clan name, Mantsundu. She defied convention as a teacher in an era when married women seldom pursued ‘traditional professions’. Together with my mother’s teachings, uMantsundu has profoundly influenced me, granting me the permission to dream without limits. Today, I’m a creative with three degrees in motion pictures, an academic, and a recent entrant into the field of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). My versatility is testament to the transformative influence of African women’s leadership. In alignment with Dr Magoqwana’s wisdom, it is paramount that we acknowledge and embrace this influential legacy. Leaders worldwide should heed the profound lessons learned from African women and integrate these rich traditions, championing inclusivity, diversity, and equity in all realms of leadership and sustainable development.

Key insights

1. Embrace “uMakhulu” as a fount of profound wisdom that seamlessly interconnects various facets of existence. The integration of this informal knowledge into formal educational paradigms acknowledges its profound grounding in African values and experiences.

2. Acknowledge the power of educating and empowering women, as they play pivotal roles in shaping society. Learn from the wisdom of African women and their indigenous knowledge, considering them as valuable resources for sustainable leadership.

3. Recognise the tradition of African women being closely connected to their communities, acting as mediators, advisors, and champions of social harmony. Draw upon indigenous knowledge to guide the way towards a more sustainable and inclusive future, championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership and sustainable development.