My Brilliant Career: Born to lead and inspire people

Chief Nyalala Pilane of the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela Traditional Authority in North West believes in leading his people from the front. He told Margaret Harris that many of the skills he needs to do this cannot be learnt at school - one either has them or not

What are your duties as a traditional leader?

My role as a leader of a tribe of 350000 is to provide leadership in the 32 villages through guidance and control.

Guidance refers mostly to giving advice - for instance, how best to use the land and other resources to better the lives of the Bakgatla people.

This also includes fending for the community and leading from the front so that the nation can follow and not go astray as we face various challenges. It is also about inspiring people not to lose hope and to make sure that they succeed in life.

By control, I mean taking charge and making laws and rules to maintain peace, law and order. Basically, this is governance with its three spheres - executive, legislative and judicial.

How did you learn the skills necessary to be a traditional leader?

I was born in the Kgamanyane household, the first royal house in our lineage. Notwithstanding this background and exposure to matters of bogosi (chieftainship) at an early age, it takes a certain kind of individual to lead a tribe - skills you do not necessarily go to school for but are born with.

You normally learn from or are taught by your father and elders. You also get it through your intuition. As a leader, you learn to read and listen to your intuition.

Apart from becoming the traditional leader of the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela, what were your career aspirations when you were a child?

I always wanted to be a businessman or a lawyer, but I finally opted for a career in commerce.

You have introduced changes to the role of a traditional leader. What are some of these changes?

To see the traditional leadership institution as a resource for both the government and the community, because it can be used as a catalyst for the development of rural communities and improve people's lives.

You are also a businessman. How do you combine your many roles?

Everything revolves around a business plan. For instance, income and expenditure are the cornerstone of any development. Knowing and understanding your clients' needs and providing for them when they are most needed is critical.

How has being a businessman influenced your work as traditional leader?

In business you serve the people, or clients. You also need to know your market. This can be translated into the leadership of a community, because for you to satisfy the people you must treat them as your clients and provide them with the services and products they need.

What do you most enjoy about the work you do?

When things go according to plan and vision and people start to enjoy the fruits of your efforts. Their lives improve when you get services closer to them and they become proud of themselves.

What do you find most challenging about your work?

The undermining of bogosi, the prevailing poverty, unemployment and lack of services for our people. The other is the challenge to change mindsets so that people can dream big, think big, trust and believe in themselves.

What is the best career advice you have ever received and who gave it to you?

I can't call it career advice, but it is something that always inspires me. I was once frustrated by seeing things that other people don't see and asked myself why God was doing this to me. I complained to one of my friends, who told me that I should not complain because this is the role of a leader. I would not be a leader if people could see things before I did.