Lubunga - leadership : an Afro-biblical perspective

Abstract

This article explores the African traditional value of Ubuntu as embedded in the Bembe concept of lubunga. In our attempt to develop a practical contextual leadership model, we have deliberately avoided to make use of the concept of Ubuntu seen by some as purely philosophical, academic, infavour of a more "institutional" and practical concept of lubunga (or its Xhosa equivalent, ikundla/ lekogla). Seeing that these concepts are not only African but also carries values validated in the Bible as strongly expressed in the Old Testament, making them both social and biblical imperatives, their receptivity will be made easier. The use of lubunga, thus, serves as a self-defining concept for Africa s leadership. This is the value we want integrated into our theology. By grounding our theological leadership construct in African social values we are "balancing leadership and followers hip " Malunga (2006: 12) as the African people see themselves as both givers and recipients of life shaping values. Managing life in society as a lubunga has the advantage of creating "a holistic community in which everyone involved becomes an active member who participates in all its activities and who thus shares in its success and failures" Prinsloo (1998:48), with a more likely effective outcome.