Another thing, is this phrase now used internationally? I've seen it come up in the encyclopedia, but has it been recognized as an English word yet? I only ask because I hear many foreigners use it these days.
2007-07-10 03:00:22 · 10 answers · asked by Porgie 7 in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ South Africa
The answer to your question is a definite, “YES”.
But I am afraid, that at rate we are deteriorating as a people, we will not see that happening.
The essence of Ubuntu dictates that my neighbour’s child is mine. My neighbour’s problems are mine. According to the spirit of Ubuntu, I cannot fold my arms when my neighbour’s house is on fire. The Ubuntu spirit inspired our forefathers to get into letsema (apologies: don’t know what to call that in English). During letsema, the community would come together to assist other members to build houses, plough fields etc.
While some practices would be difficult given urbanisation, we could still be practising Ubuntu. As a people, we have lost our soul. It is no Ubuntu if I accept stolen goods to be stored in my house; even to buy goods that you can see that they are stolen is not on.
Whatever some say, it is unAfrican, therefore not in the spirit of Ubuntu to rape women, let alone babies.
I remember the good old days when my parents’ neighbours would go away for weeks after having asked my parents; “Please look after my house. Open windows in the morning and ensure that my dogs get food everyday”. Those days are gone now. First, we embraced foreign culture of “mind your business”. We then perfected it by purposely going out to hurt our neighbours. And crowned it by becoming monsters who have no regard to our children.
I longed for the day that we, as South Africans, will realise that we are a great nation but we are slowly dissipating our greatness. If that day ever happens to come – “YES”, the future of South Africa will change for better!!!!
2007-07-10 06:34:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ubuntu already has changed South Africa. Ubuntu is why we've seen the kind of progress we've seen there already and it will continue to lead the nation toward continued healing and resolution in the future.
You probably hear foreigners using the term because great South Africans like Desmond Tutu have traveled the world speaking about this concept and how it will move South Africa, and the world really, forward. The first time I heard the word it was while attending a lecture given by Tutu.
2007-07-11 04:12:00 · answer #2 · answered by Bree 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The thing that fascinates me about this word ubuntu is the perception that this is an African thing that they invented. In reality it is little more than community spirit and looking after your neighbours etc as if they were family. It has been going on in the UK for 100's of years but they just never made a big thing about it.
In SA it is merely a concept that is not in practice if you are to believe Mbeki and Nquaqula since at least 80% of murder,rape,assault and robbery victims are known to their attackers according to them. So what ubuntu? I wonder if the foreigners you hear using it have not been in contact with South Africans and picked it up from them.There are millions of you around the Globe but to be honest I never hear the word in the UK so I doubt if it will make it into the Oxford English language dictionary.
2007-07-10 08:54:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Funny that a question like that would come from you ! Ubuntu......such a nice word ! Pity that it is, and will stay an ideology ! We are reaching out as Afrikaners to make this land a better one but there are so many people that do not want to grab our hands and take it further .Do you still remember the ''pay it forward '' story ? It is of no use if the cycle is broken !
2007-07-10 03:14:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ideologies are no good if they are not put into practice.
If everyone lived and let live and assisted those around them in their everyday lives without ill will - now that would go the longest way to making SA a fantastic place, don't you think?
2007-07-10 04:45:47 · answer #5 · answered by london.oval 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ubuntu was tried in the Soviet Union, where it was called Communism. Cost millions of lives, but ultimately failed.
Any collective form of society is doomed to failure.
2007-07-10 22:07:35 · answer #6 · answered by Brad Morris 9 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it would revolutionize the world!
It's just getting it into practice that's tricky.
2007-07-10 03:19:36 · answer #7 · answered by jovvijo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If practiced yes but i dout it very much
2007-07-10 15:06:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be nice, but how many times have we heard it all before...?
2007-07-10 08:43:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It won't ever happen
2007-07-10 11:38:48 · answer #10 · answered by ST 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋