A psycho-educational programme to facilitate the development of community leaders in an informal settlement

• Main Author: Basson, Gert Johannes
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Leadership; Community leadership
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2346

D.Ed. === Communities in any given society are made up of individuals. As individuals are different and unique, so are communities unique in character. Different leaders play different roles in communities and have obtained leadership responsibilities in a variety of ways. Leaders act as leaders because they are appointed by a structure or system like the government. Other leaders act as leaders, because the people just ‘see’ them as their leaders or they are “self-appointed” leaders. The question that arises is what is the role of leaders in a given community? To what extent are they responsible of leading towards and creating a better future? What are the expectations of the community from the leaders whom they have appointed or who act as self-appointed leaders? How does the community experience the ‘leadership’ of their leader? How do the leaders experience their leadership responsibilities? The aim of this study was the description, implementation and evaluation of a psycho-educational programme to facilitate the development of community leaders within an informal settlement (Zandspruit). From a methodological point of view a qualitative research design was utilized to make the purpose of the study a reality. Phenomenological research was conducted whereby leaders from the community of Zandspruit were interviewed by asking them an open-ended question, namely: how is it for you to be a leader xii in this community? The results and data were analysed by open coding and the themes and categories were identified. A literature control was done and a programme was designed based on the research findings. The research indicated that leaders lead with feelings of “incapable of leading” their community. The leaders are preoccupied with their lack of leadership or facilitation skills related to the complexity, expectations, perceptions and challenges of this community. In general, the research has shown that leaders don’t feel they know ‘how’ to lead their community. It also surfaced in this research that this specific community is complex. Although every community are facing challenges to overcome, it seems that in this community the leadership challenges and “stakes” are even higher. Subsequently a leadership development programme was developed. The programme was developed out of themes and categories from the research findings. The intent was to ‘invite’ leaders to embark on a lifelong journey of growth and development. Secondly the programme has the intention to equip leaders in order to become ‘leader of leaders’. The programme was implemented, evaluated and adjusted according to the recommendations and findings. xiii The research therefore puts a leadership development programme in place that will facilitate the development of community leaders within an informal settlement. The intention and hope is that the programme will enhance the personal development of leaders, as well as skills needed in this specific context, that will eventually contribute towards their mental health and wholeness.