About us
What are Ubuntu and Human Values?
Ubuntu and Human values are explained as values that define our character and divine nature. The core values are love, truth, peace, righteousness, and non-violence. These values are not exclusive to any race, gender, nation, religion, race, or creed. These values help us to focus on our common heritage as humanity, by practicing humanness. In other words, a return to our African roots of Ubuntu, an application of human values that is universal to all nations and cultures. These are universal values that all of humanity can identify with.
Why are they important?
Ubuntu and Human values define our character. Thereafore, ideally, parents should emphasize these values in the home. Thereafter schools and higher education institutions are expected to support and expand values-based education. As the child grows these values take root and provide a firm base for moulding the child’s character. As the child matures into youth and adulthood, he or she is able to interact with peers and the rest of society in a loving and caring manner. Ubuntu then comes alive.
Ubuntu and Human Values inculcate an understanding of humanity and support the principle of Ubuntu. Archbishop Desmond Tutu further explained Ubuntu as follows (2008)
One of the sayings in our country is Ubuntu – the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can’t exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can’t be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality – Ubuntu – you are known for your generosity.
Reasserting this theme, “Our ‘second liberation’ will need ethics and Ubuntu” (Sunday Times, August 9, Review, p.12), Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, at the launch of the Centre for Ethics at the University of Witwatersrand, submitted that since the time of Socrates, virtues have been considered the principal quality required for society’s wellbeing. He further asserts that …one should tell the truth. One should respect all other people… The word Ubuntu wonderfully encapsulates so much of this. It means, “I am, because we belong together” …It is to live and care for others, being kind, just, fair, compassionate, trustworthy, honest, assisting those in need and upholding good morals. Ubuntu is about generous magnanimity towards others-especially those who are different.
Archbishop Tutu further adds that (2012) “If we are to improve our performance, we must improve our teamwork, which begins with our own understanding that we are members of one team. Our hopes and aspirations are tied up not just in ourselves and our own material well-being, but also in each other.”
What should be done?
As is evident above, and given our levels of crime, corruption and lack of caring and compassion, these ubuntu and human values are being asserted by numerous leaders of distinction. They are asking the wider community to galvanize into action for the betterment and good of society. Ubuntu and Human values give us an understanding of our role in society. It starts to define our interconnectedness and makes us a caring and helpful society. Therefore, every effort should be made to support this initiative by all stakeholders: civil society, religious, government, business, community and non-governmental organisations. A start has been made by many religious organisations and other groups, but this effort needs to be consolidated, expanded and the programmes widely disseminated to all sectors of society. All stakeholders must get involved.
