The concept of Ubuntu has been the cornerstone of black communities at large, meaning one hand washes the other. To share sympathy and care for other people.
In the past few years it has been reported on the news how the quality of Ubuntu has deteriorated, black on black crime, gender based violence, brutal killings, misuse of funds meant for the underprivileged by those in power and no regard for human life.
The question beckons, are we a generation that carries out Ubuntu or have we lost all meaning to the word?
According to the Culture Trip Ubuntu “is a compact term from the Nguni languages of Zulu and Xhosa that carries a fairly broad English definition of “a quality that includes the essential human virtues of compassion and humanity.”
However, research made by Dr John Eliastam on whether Ubuntu is still being expressed in South Africa or not says that, “It is alive and it is dead; it is seen and it is not seen. Ubuntu exists tightly interwoven with un-ubuntu.”
Dr Eliastan continues saying, the erosion of ubuntu becomes symbolic for a broader and deeper erosion of identity. To be black and South African is to experience deep and profound wounds.
Although the country seems to have deteriorated from the concept of Ubuntu, according to an article in Mail and Guardian there is still a chance where things can change. “We know what needs to be done. We must work together to tackle poverty, racism, gender inequality, and gender-based violence.”
We might sometimes see things insignificant to us but in some way or the other we have to ask ourselves forward thinking questions like: are we looking after the most vulnerable and the most marginalised? Do we act in our personal lives to promote justice and equality? Do we speak up when we see someone else put down?
Also see: Being charitable on a budget
