The Values And Importance Of Ubuntu

To begin with, “Ubuntu” is a Nguni word and is expressed differently in other bantu languages such as “Umunthu” in Chewa, “Umundu” in Yawo, “botho” is Sotho and “vhutu” in Venda (Tambulasi and Kayuni, 2005, p. 148). The common Zulu saying “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” which is translated as “a human being is a human being through other human beings” expresses the meaning of Ubuntu. Similarly, Mbiti stated that an African understands the self through others “I am because we are and because we are, therefore I am” (Letseka, 2011, p. 48). The central idea is that one’s life is defined by being or living in a community with others and in such a setup the community comes first before an individual. Ubuntu is understood as the foundation of African Sub-Saharan communities, their way of life (Tambulasi and Kayuni, 2005, p. 148). Since Ubuntu deals with one’s relationship with others in a community, then there as to be some values or actions that are prohibited or promoted for the sustenance of the community with justice and Mutual caring (Tambulasi and Kayuni, 2005, p. 148). …show more content…
They are for the promotion of the good of the community and everyone works towards achievement of this common good. The idea of common good entails that the community comes first before the individual (Chuwa, 2014, p. 38). On the contrary, it is not detrimental to individual good because the benefit of the community is also the benefit of an individual (Gyekye, 2010). Furthermore, promoting good of the community is also the promotion of humanity. David Lutz claims that “African life considers humanity over material worth” and embedded within Ubuntu is the idea of humanity through others (Lutz, 2009, p.