POL 334: WEEK 3

PROF. BR MNGOMEZULU
LECTURE A: 28 FEB. – 04 MARCH 2022
Ubuntu as Africa’s Contribution to
Philosophy

1
 INTRODUCTION
 The term philosophy was invented by Pythagoras (c. 570 –
c. 495 BC).
 Simply put, it means “love of wisdom”.
 Its focus is on the study of proper behaviour, and the search
for wisdom which enables us as a human race to understand
the world we live in.
 Some view it as the study of ideas about knowledge,
truth, the nature and meaning of life, etc.
 Therefore, it is safe to say that philosophy is about the way
of life and how society feels that life should be lived.
 Like all societies globally, Africans had their own philosophy!

2
 WHY IS AFRICA MISUNDERSTOOD BY
THE WEST?
 The reality is that much of Africa‟s traditional culture has been
inaccessible to the world – except for those interested in it.
 Unlike other cultures that were communicated in written form,
African culture was kept orally, and was lived.
 Some African leaders have betrayed the philosophical and
humanitarian principles which form the basis of African culture.
 They have adopted Western ways of life and belief systems.
 The media portrayed Africa and the Africans in a negative light to
the Western world mainly for political expediency.
The events of 9/11 demonstrated that the world is
interconnected and that countries need one another.
Ubuntu has a major contribution to make to the world.

3
 UNDERSTADING UBUNTU IN THE
AFRICAN CONTEXT
 Ubuntu is a Nguni word which originates from South Africa; it appears in
different languages, e.g. botho, buntfu, vhuthu, etc.
 The term is predicated on our interconnectedness as a human race, our
common humanity and our responsibility to one another.
 Ubuntu is grounded on the notion that „a person is a person because of
others‟ [Umntu, ngumntu ngabantu / Umuntu, ngumuntu ngabantu / motho ke
motho ka batho].
 It is “the capacity in African culture to express compassion, reciprocity,
dignity, harmony and humanity in the interests of building and maintaining
community with justice and mutual caring” (Nussbaum, 2003:2).
 Ubuntu is a social philosophy, a way of being, a code of ethics and
behaviour which is deeply embedded in African culture.
 Its aim is to honour the dignity of each and every person.
 Ubuntu emphasises common humanity across all races.
 Put simply, “Ubuntu becomes a fountain from which actions and attitudes
4
flow” (Nussbaum, 2003:2).
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF UBUNTU
 It entails listening to and affirming others with the help
of processes that create trust, fairness, shared understanding,
as well as dignity and harmony in relationships.
 Ubuntu is about the desire to build a caring, sustainable
and just response to the community in its various facets.
 It offers an alternative way to re-create a world that works
for all, not just a few.
 In the economic sense Ubuntu means sharing wealth and
making basic services accessible and visible to everyone
in the global family.

5
 WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF UBUNTU
TO THE WORLD?
 It encourages communalism as opposed to individualism.
 Ubuntu instils respect for all, which could avert/avoid
unnecessary conflicts.
 It propagates love for one another, which would result into
corrective as opposed to punitive action.
 Ubuntu values human life and triggers compassion and
sympathy which forces one to give generously to fellow human
beings.
 By seeing everyone through the same lens, Ubuntu has a potential
to bridge the gap between people, regions, countries, and
continents of the world.
 Thus, Ubuntu philosophy could be a solution to the world‟s
troubles if embraced by all; it is Africa‟s contribution!

6
 Conclusion
 Philosophy means: “The study of the fundamental
nature of knowledge, reality, and existence.”
 All societies have their own views on these issues.
 Therefore, Africans had their own worldview too.
 This means that they had their own philosophy.
 Ubuntu is Africa‟s contribution to the world in the area
of philosophy.
 If applied correctly, Ubuntu could assist in addressing
some of the world‟s social ills, problems and injustices.