(20) The role of women in society is gradually taking its rightful place not only in urban areas but in rural areas as well. Women in Africa have always assumed an important role in villages and communities. They have been in the forefront of food security, bio-diversity and various other aspects of the household. In apartheid South Africa for example, women lived without their men who were migrant workers in the mines. In the absence of the men the women became managers of their households. In this chapter we explore why the education leadership curriculum should explore deeper as to why the role of women in African societies can enhance organisations. The curriculum in many programmes teaches management and leadership by merely looking at ‘male modes of leadership’. Yet, femininity and the role of women have much to teach students of management and leadership. African history has given us accounts of great women leaders who led with distinction, for example, MaNthantisi during the rise of the Zulu kingdom. Then there was the Ghanaian Queen Mother Yaa Asantwa who led and protected her chiefdom against British Colonialists. The Empress Uelete Rutael from Ethiopia was also a strong leader in her own right. There are various other examples that show that women in Africa have the ability to lead with distinction. However, many have argued that due to their ‘biology’ women cannot be good leaders. Yet the African Women Leaders’ website declares: Another excuse used against the participation of women in leadership is the fact that they are usually sensitive and emotional and as such would not be able to perform to the best of their ability in stressful situations. True, women are usually very emotional. But does this necessarily have to be a bad thing? The empathy that women feel for people and situations make them better able to understand the people they are leading. the chapter explore some of these debate, for it is unthinkable ignore these expects of womanhood in leadership. women in Africa have had various role that show them enhancing their communities. :Identify what the chapter seek to explore?
