Living and Revitalizing Ubuntu

Abstract

Although Ubuntu/Obuntu philosophy remains a foundation for many African communities, there are also growing concerns about its gradual erosion and assault. There is limited understanding about the struggles that African parents, especially in the diaspora experience as they pass on Ubuntu/Obuntu values to their children who live in a different context from the one their parents were raised in. This knowledge is crucial for facilitating Ubuntu/Obuntu's revitalisation and transmission to the younger generation. Using a critical approach, this chapter draws from lived experiences and existing literature to discuss two key challenges that the authors, who are African parents, have experienced in passing on Ubuntu/Obuntu. The challenges relate to past and ongoing colonialism manifested in Eurocentric education systems in Africa and the diaspora and dwindling community interactions. Strategies adopted by the authors in the diaspora to overcome these barriers and implications of an Ubuntu/Obuntu-inspired education are also presented.

Ubuntu among the ‘born frees’: Exploring the transmission of social values through community engagement in South Africa

“…Furthermore, this study was conducted in 2013, and while it captured a snapshot of modern themes among ‘born frees’, the opinions may be outdated and an incomplete picture of how Ubuntu may be viewed today in South Africa. However, recent publications reflect a similar sentiment in both the challenges and desires to nurture Ubuntu in the region (Tusasiirwe et al, 2021). For example, a 25-year review report on the status of South Africa by the Office of the President (2019) indicated that between 1994 and 2018, the country recorded an 11 percent increase in contact crimes, with a growing incidence of gender-based violence, rape, sexual assault, domestic violence and femicide (Republic of South Africa, 2019).…”