Contradictions and complexities of follower-centric constructions of a woman leader in a South African school

Yasmeen Malik
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Bongani Nhlanhla Mkhize
University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Thamsanqa Thulani Bhengu
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

This paper reports on the findings of a small-scale qualitative study that aimed at bringing to light the social constructions of a woman leader through the eyes and minds of seven teachers in a secondary school in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Following a qualitative case study design, embedded within an interpretivist paradigm, the study used individual interviews to generate data. The researchers used thematic data analysis. The findings suggest that the followers' constructions or conceptions of a woman leader were characterised by an intricate interplay of complexities and contradictions, linked to social stereotypes. Such complexities and contradictions of women leadership are influenced by the followers' beliefs and values of what a woman leader is. The findings portrayed a woman principal's leadership as a coin having two contradictory sides. On one side-the women leader is portrayed as adopting a mothering leadership style. Flipping to the other side of the coin, the same leader is portrayed as following the 'Iron Lady' leadership style. Our article contributes to the emerging debate in South Africa around followers' perceptions and constructions of women's perceptions and constructions of women's leadership.
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Authors: Dr Yasmeen Malik is a practising senior educator at Gugulesizwe High School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where she serves as Subject Head for English. She has lectured modules on Gender and Leadership and successfully supervised BEd (Hons) students Independent Research Projects. Her research interests focus on teacher and women leadership development and leadership management and policy. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1249-0740 Email: yasmeenmalik894@yahoo.com Dr Bongani Nhlanhla Mkhize is a senior lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He teaches modules in Education Leadership and Management and supervises Honours and Masters students. Bongani has principalship experience and holds a PhD degree specialising in educational leadership and management. His research interest is in school and district leadership. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4770-8466 Email: mkhizeb@uj.ac.za Dr Thamsanqa Thulani Bhengu is an Associate Professor in the Discipline Educational Leadership, Management and Policy (ELMP), in the School of Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. His research focus is educational leadership, leadership development, rural education and servant leadership. His research profile includes successful supervision of 16 Hons students' Independent Research projects, 63 Masters students and 28 PhD students. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6777-4279 Email: bhengutt@ukzn.ac.za Please cite as: Malik, Y., Mkhize, B. N. & Bhengu, T. T. (2026). Contradictions and complexities of follower-centric constructions of a woman leader in a South African school. Issues in Educational Research, 36(1), 186-203. http://www.iier.org.au/iier36/malik.pdf