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。选择了代表社区、推广人员和研究人员的 7 个人的有目的的样本。进行了深入的半结构化访谈。数据三角测量用于通过使用多个信息源来建立可信度。

调查结果：本研究中出现了四个主要主题和一系列子主题（酋长/酋长；社区现实；酋长批准；酋长的支持）。

实际意义：酋长在粮食安全干预措施的成功中发挥着关键作用。旨在在南非农村工作的推广人员和研究人员必须遵循一个连续的过程，以获得酋长的青睐和他们在干预中的支持。通过建立信任、遵守协议并让社区参与进来，推广代理和研究人员可以获得并保持主管的批准和支持。这导致社区的全力支持，从而使干预取得成功。

理论意义：本研究基于联合国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营养不良的基本原因。作者发现传统领导人可能会对南非农村的粮食安全成果和项目成功产生积极或消极的影响。

原创性/价值：关于传统领导结构在粮食安全范围内的影响的可用信息有限。