Ethical leadership for a morally transformed society 2004-2007: Current trends, issues future policy options

Abstract

The Ethical Leadership Project was launched in 2005 and is a joint research and teaching project on the building and strengthening of ethical leadership. The following institutions constitute its corporate identity: Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM), Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology (University of Stellenbosch), University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and The Office of the Premier of the Western Cape.

Since the advent of South Africa’s democracy in 1994 there has been widespread conviction that, in order to give effect to a democratic constitution and particularly a bill of human rights, it is crucial to build and sustain a human rights culture. The importance of building communities and institutions where people are inspired to embody and practice the vision articulated in the constitution - people who recognize and respect the human dignity of others, with a sense of responsibility to and for others, has continuously been expressed. It is Nelson Mandela who during his presidency said that we need “RDP of the soul”. The question is: What is required for the formation of good South African citizens – people of good moral character who can make a contribution toward transformation in family life, schools, faith communities, businesses, political parties, the media, advocacy groups and service organizations, in the economic sector and various structures of governance? This is a question with which leadership of structures within civil society, the business sector and government has to grapple with. Nair’s views on a renewed leadership focus (which encapsulates the relevance and importance of the Ethical Leadership Project) are: “Leadership by example is not only the most pervasive but also the most enduring form of leadership. And because the world is becoming more interconnected, standards of leadership have an impact that extends around the globe. Now, as ever before, a higher standard of leadership will serve us all.” (Nair, K 1996. A Higher Standard of Leadership: Lessons from the life of Gandhi)