PATRITIOTISM UNHU/UBUNTU

DEMOCRACY

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CONTENTS PAGE PAGE

Patriotism 2-6

Democracy 6-9

Unhu/ubuntu 9-12

References 13

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 Patriotism

A woman voting in exercising patriotism

Voting is a civic duty.” This is a pretty common sentiment, especially as Election

Day approaches. But what does it really mean? And what does it mean for

Zimbabweans in particular?

An individual’s right to vote ties that person to our social order, even if that person

chooses not to exercise that right. Voting represents the beginning; everything else

in our democracy follows the right to vote. Participation is more than just a value.

It is a foundational virtue of our democracy.

The woman above is making her voice to be heard and not letting others decide for

her. The assumption is that voting will affect the nature of representation and

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ultimately the content of public policy. If people do not register to vote and

participate in elections, their distinct interests are more likely to be ignored or

neglected by policy-makers.

The woman on picture is voting thus allowing political integration and thus

strengthening democracy. Political integration of the people promotes public

oversight, public order and democratic stability as long as people are given a real

voice, their vote is seen as meaningful and influential.

Patriotism

Along with love, patriotism is the feeling of pride, devotion, and attachment to a

homeland, as well as a feeling of attachment to other patriotic citizens. The feelings

of attachment may be further bound up in factors like race or ethnicity, culture,

religious beliefs, or history. Patriotism is the feeling and expression of love for one’s

home country, along with a feeling of unity with those who share those feelings

While patriotism is evident throughout history, it was not always considered a civic

virtue. In 18th-century Europe, for example, devotion to the state was considered a

betrayal of devotion to the church.   

Examples of Patriotism

There are countless ways of showing patriotism. Standing for the National

Anthem and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance are obvious ones. Perhaps more

importantly, many of the most beneficial acts of patriotism in the U.S. are those

that both celebrate the country and make it stronger.

A few of these include:

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 Participating in the representative democracy by registering to

vote and voting in elections.

Volunteering for community service or running for elected government

office.

Serving on juries.

Obeying all laws and paying taxes.

Understanding the rights, freedoms, and responsibilities contained in the

Zimbabwe Constitution.

How should people demonstrate the patriotism in communities?

The highest level of patriotism is loving Zimbabwe, its institutions, heritage,

traditions, rich history, her environment as well as protecting and upholding its

constitution with fundamental human rights enshrined therein. Patriotism is not

only protecting Zimbabwe against external threats but also against internal violent,

disruptive, unjustified protests and rowdy, as well as retrogressive behaviour.

Patriotism should see us refraining from malpractices that erodes the fabric of our

society such as early child marriages, corruption, child, and sexual abuse.

Patriotism is when we don’t litter our environment, when we pay our taxes

honestly, when we voluntarily abide by the laws of the land and when we promote

local industries.

The problem is that citizens are so much obsessed with foreign labels, foreign

heroes, foreign artists, foreign cultures as well as foreign goods. This is really a

dangerous trend. We are losing our own identity in the process. Most of us have no

interest in our own history, culture, and our country’s growth to the extent that

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some of us identify themselves with George Washington rather than any other hero

at our national shrine. We tend to identify ourselves with the Kevin Harts, Trevor

Noahs, Desmond Elliots, and Bruce Willis when we know little, and sometimes

nothing about our own Mukadota, Gringo, Kapfupi, and Vharazipi. The same can be

said about other sectors of socio-economic life. While we respect the constitutional

provisions on the rights and individual freedoms by choosing whatever one wants,

this trend tends to breed a sense of inferiority in the minds of the Zimbabwean

youth thereby undermining the sense of patriotism to the extent of having a hyper

propensity for foreign influence and products.

Due to the current state of things surely not every citizen can have the opportunity

to serve the country in a formal capacity but one can contribute his or her work

and effort. As a farmer, as a vendor, as an engineer, a builder, as a student or in

whatever way. The least thing one can do is work and be innovative enough to

contribute their part to the country rather than being a mere spectator ready to

apportion blame either rightly so, or because the mass media houses misinform us.

There is so much an individual, especially us as the citizens, can contribute towards

the progress of our nation. Those little things count – registering to vote, placing

litter in bins, refusing to pay bribes, reporting criminal activities in our communities,

paying taxes and bills, helping the elderly and the vulnerable and so on. We need

to improve the tone and vibe of our social and economic life through improved

work ethics and environmental behaviour. Let us rally behind our flag, let us love

our country with all its faults, and let us work to improve it with all our strength, let

us defend it with all our resources.

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We should hand it over to the coming generations better than what it was when we

received it. Let us try to build a nation which our freedom fighters dreamt of. That

will be the real tribute to Nehanda, Mkwati, Tongogara, Nikita Mangena, Ziyapapa

Moyo, Lookout Masuku, Joseph Luke Culverwell and many others who risked their

lives and limbs for Zimbabwe. We belong to this country and this country belongs

to us. It is about time as youths that we start to accept that we are not here to

destroy the culture or national heritage. In as much as we would love a change

towards modern, international standards and practices we should retain or preserve

the fundamental tenets of our society, on which our identity as Zimbabweans lies.

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 Democracy

When it comes to governments, you might know there are several types out there

like a democracy, totalitarian, a monarchy or a theocracy. A democracy is an

example most people are familiar with, especially if one live in Zimbabwe.

Citizens showcasing democracy

In a presidential democracy, the executive branch has the power. The people elect

a president to head the government. However, the president is kept in check by the

legislative branch. Thus in the picture the people were showcasing their democracy

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by campaigning the removal of Robert Mugabe .The above picture depicts citizens

who were marching in roads for the removal of Robert Mugabe as the president of

Zimbabwe. People were having placards showing or speaking the voice of people

and thus depicting democracy in a country. In a non-democratic nation this cannot

be done since will be a crime.

Demonstration of democracy in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a representative democracy. This means that our government is

elected by citizens. Here, citizens vote for their government officials. These officials

represent the citizens’ ideas and concerns in government. Voting is one way to

participate in our democracy. Citizens can also contact their officials when they

want to support or change a law. Voting in an election and contacting our elected

officials are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy.

Characteristics of Democracy

 The characteristics of democracy are:

 Elected representative

 Civil liberties

 Independent judiciary

 Organised opposition party

 Rule of law

 Citizens in a democracy have not only rights but also the responsibility to

participate in the political system

 Democratic societies are committed to the values of tolerance, cooperation,

and compromise.

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  It provides a method to resolve conflicts.

 Enhances dignity of each individuals.

Demonstrating the concept of democracy in communities

Dahl, Shapiro, Cheibib (2003) state that in a representative democracy, every vote

has equal weight, no unreasonable restrictions can apply to anyone seeking to

become a representative, and the freedom of its eligible citizens is secured by

legitimized rights and liberties which are typically protected by a constitution. This

is showed cased in Zimbabwe where every citizen has the right to be a

representative. Zimbabwe practises separation of powers between three arms of

government: the executive, the legislative and the judiciary thus exercising

democracy in a country. A common characteristic of all the variants of democracies

discussed above is that representative democracy allows competitive elections

which promote equality among all eligible citizens in all respects, and also ensures

that the rules of all elections are clear, set out in advance, and do not privilege any

group or individual over another.

In furtherance of this, Kelsen (1955) and Barak (2006), assert that representative

democracy which allows freedom of political expression, freedom of speech and

freedom of the press are considered to be the essential rights that allow eligible

citizens to be adequately informed and able to vote according to their own

interests. Thus in Zimbabwe there is freedom of speech and this shows exercising

of democracy.

From the foregoing, one can conclude that the basic feature of democracy

according to Nassbaum (2000) is the capacity of all voters to participate freely and

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fully in the life of their society, and that democracy is a form of government in

which all eligible citizens have an equal say in law-making (Diamond, 2006). It

might be necessary, at this stage to highlight another key word in this quest and

discuss democracy as simply the concept of politics

Hunhu/Ubuntu

Children assisting the elderly (hospitality).

The children above are showcasing respect and love for elders. They are assisting

the elderly to safely walk. It is a good idea to accompany elderly for morning and

evening walks. It will not only make them feel refreshed but would also serve as an

opportunity for one to spend some time together. Falls by elders have been

associated with most non-fatal and fatal injuries for elders. Falls lead to many

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physical health problems in an ageing body. Some medicines may increase falling

risks as such assisting them like on the picture will provide safety for them. Keep a

check that elders wear sensible shoes and ensure that one’s home is well organized

at all times. The floor should always remain dry.  Making use of non-slip mats and

rugs to avoid any slips is highly encouraged.

How should people demonstrate the concept in their communities?

Philosophically, the term Hunhu or Ubuntu emphasizes the importance of a group

or community. The term finds a clear expression in the Nguni/Ndebele

phrase: umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu (a person is a person through other persons).

Martin H Prozesky (2003: 5-6) identified the ten qualities that are characteristic

of Hunhu/Ubuntu, it is important to remark that these ten qualities are not

exhaustive. Our justification of using Prozesky’s ten qualities is that they aptly

capture the essence of Ubuntu as an aspect of ethno-philosophy. Prozesky’s ten

qualities are as follows:

1. Humaneness

2. Gentleness

3. Hospitality

4. Empathy or taking trouble for others

5. Deep Kindness

6. Friendliness

7. Generosity

8. Vulnerability

9. Toughness

10.Compassion

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Hunhu/Ubuntu as an important aspect of ethno-philosophy is an embodiment of

these qualities. While Ramose uses humaneness to

define Hunhu/Ubuntu, Samkange and Samkange use humanism to define and

characterise the same attributes. The impression one gets is that the former is

similar to the latter. But this is far from the truth.

In demonstrating ubuntu gender inequality, poverty, and violence happens on a

global scale and these atrocities are what tells us that we need to do more as a

society to actively live and breathe Ubuntu and put it into action on a daily

basis. Everyone in society needs to play a part, regardless of how small one may

think it is. We all have a role to play and it’s of vital importance that our actions

inspire others to want to be a part of a better and brighter future. 

Ubuntu is also about justice, and particularly, justice for all people. As much as we

must look after each other, it is also just as important that we exercise fairness and

equality for all people regardless of race, gender, or social status. So essentially,

Ubuntu is about togetherness as well as a fight for the greater good. This is what

Mandela was prepared to sacrifice his life for.

Ubuntu is the common thread and DNA that runs through the UN’s Global Goals,

because without the spirit of Ubuntu within us, we cannot implement great change in

our society. It’s imperative that we help all people, young and old, to achieve only

the best for our future.

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 REFERENCES

Johnson, Samuel (1774). “The Patriot.” SamuelJohnson.com

Boswell, James, Hibbert (2015), “The Life of Samuel Johnson.” Penguin Classics,

ISBN 0-14-043116-0

Acemoglu, D., Robinson, J. (2006). Economic Origins of Dictatorship and

Democracy. Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press.

Dahl, R., Shapiro, I., Cheibub (2003). The Democracy Sourcebook, MIT Press.

Przeworski, A. et al (2006). Democracy and Development. Political Institutions and

Wellbeing in the World, 1950-1990, Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press.

Richardson, N. R. (2006). “Reflections on Reconciliation and Ubuntu.” In: R

Nicolson (Ed.). Persons in Community: African Ethics in a Global

Culture. Scottsville: University of KwaZulu Natal Press.

Samkange, S and Samkange, T.M. (1980). Hunhuism or Ubuntuism: A Zimbabwean

Indigenous Political Philosophy. Salisbury: Graham Publishing

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Taylor, D.F.P. (2013). “Defining Ubuntu for Business Ethics: A Deontological

Approach.” South African Journal of Philosophy,  33(3), pp.331-

345 .An attempt to apply Ubuntu in the field of Business in

Africa

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