ABSTRACT

Purpose: The objective was to investigate the role of traditional leaders in the implementation of food security projects in South Africa.

Design/Methodology: A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used as a research design. A purposive sample of seven individuals was selected representing the community, extension agents, and researchers. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data triangulation was used to establish trustworthiness by using multiple sources of information.

Findings: Four main themes with a series of sub-themes emerged in this study (chief/chiefdom; community reality; chief approval; chief´s support).

Practical Implications: Chiefs play a pivotal role in the success of food security interventions. Extension agents and researchers aiming to work in rural South Africa must follow a sequential process to gain the favor of the chief and their support in their interventions. By building trust, upholding protocol, and involving the community, extension agents and researchers can gain and maintain the chief's approval and support. This leads to the complete support of the community and, consequently, the success of the intervention.

Theoretical Implications: This study is based on UNICEF's conceptual framework of malnutrition. The model is widely used to address malnutrition and recognizes sociocultural practices as a basic cause of malnutrition. Authors were able to find that traditional leaders may positively or negatively impact food security outcomes and project success in rural South Africa.

Originality/Value: Limited information is available regarding the implications of traditional leadership structures within the context of food security.

摘要

目的：目的是调查传统领导人在南非实施粮食安全项目中的作用。

设计/方法：定性的现象学方法被用作研究设计。选择了七个个体的有目的样本，分别代表社区，推广人员和研究人员。进行了深入的半结构化访谈。数据三角剖分用于通过使用多种信息源来建立可信赖性。

调查结果：这项研究出现了四个主要主题，其中包含一系列子主题（酋长/酋长国；社区现实；首席批准；首席支持）。

实际影响：酋长在粮食安全干预措施的成功中起着关键作用。旨在在南非农村地区工作的推广人员和研究人员必须遵循循序渐进的过程，以赢得科长的青睐及其在干预措施中的支持。通过建立信任，维护协议并在社区中参与，推广人员和研究人员可以获得并保持院长的批准和支持。这导致了社区的完全支持，并因此获得了成功的干预。

理论意义：这项研究基于儿童基金会的营养不良概念框架。该模型被广泛用于解决营养不良问题，并将社会文化习俗视为造成营养不良的根本原因。作者能够发现传统领导人可能对南非农村地区的粮食安全成果和项目成功产生积极或消极影响。

原创性/价值：关于传统领导结构在粮食安全背景下的影响的信息有限。