Ubuntu is the worldview of Black people of Africa from where they derive relational, communal, societal, environmental and spiritual knowledges, values and practices (Mugumbate, Mupedziswa, Twikirize, Mthethwa, Desta & Oyinlola, 2023).
Ubuntu originated from the interaction of different groups of Black people in Africa for thousands of years. These Black people are the Bantu, Kush, Ba, Khoi, Masarwa, Hadza and Sandawe
The key values from Ubuntu philosophy are:
Relations and respect (ukama and girmamawa) – valuing parents, blood relations and tribal family; social, cultural, spiritual, economic and political relations. Respect is valuing humanity, treating a person as a person, elders, parents, land, ancestors and spirituality.
Indigeneity (wazawa): Culture (umuco/isiko) and sankofa – valuing being black Africans and being people of the African continent. valuing the way we do things (food, language, dress, knowledge, ethics and beliefs). Looking back to inform the future, reflect.
Wholism/holistic (mzima/phelele) – valuing connection between people, their past and future, environment and spirituality.
Justice and Freedom (uhuru) – valuing being free and independent from colonisation and injustice; valuing just laws and practices in relation to land, the environment, relations, economics and politics. Justice for children, women, people with disability and the vulnerable, in the context of other values.
Responsibility (mutoro) – valuing that we have a responsibility towards each other and future generations and a responsibility to our environment and responsibility to maintain relations (ukama).
Community/collectivity (ujamaa) – valuing working together.
