Ubuntu paradox: exploring the tensions and synergies between moral awareness, ethical leadership and moral courage within urban councils in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between moral awareness, Ubuntu, ethical leadership, and moral courage within urban councils in Zimbabwe. The study was anchored in the positivist paradigm and utilized a cross-sectional survey research design. The population of the study comprised 406 senior, middle managers, and office employees. The target population was made up of 324 office employees, including frontline managers and clerical staff within the six urban councils in Mashonaland West Province. A criterion purposive sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The sample size was 324 respondents. Data was collected using a questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was established through confirmatory factor analysis, and while reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha statistic. Descriptive statistics summarized the demographic characteristics of the respondents, while inferential statistics, including regression and correlation analyses, were used to test hypotheses, moderation, and mediation. The findings of the study revealed that moral awareness enhances ethical leadership. The results indicated no mediating effect of Ubuntu on the relationship between moral awareness and ethical leadership. The study found that moral courage was a critical factor in enabling leaders to translate moral awareness into observable moral conduct. The study recommended that urban councils implement ethics training programmes.