Ubuntu values in an emerging multi-racial community : a narrative reflection

Abstract

This dissertation examines the meaning of the African philosophy of Ubuntu in an emerging multi-racial community within the new context of democracy in South Africa from a narrative research perspective. South Africa has been embedded with notions of tribalism, homelands, segregation, racism, violence which have origins and ethnological prejudices mirrored in colonialism and apartheid. This dissertation is broadly shaped by the following three questions: • Is the concept of Ubuntu applicable in a multiracial community? • South Africa is viewed as an unequal society in terms of socio-economics, racial prejudice and resulting in political instability. How does this inequality affect people's relationships with one another and with the leaders in a diverse community? • How do people living in a multi-racial society in a post-democratic country perceive peace, forgiveness, the ideal of a Rainbow Nation and reconciliation in their communities? To appropriate the meaning of Ubuntu through narrative research in a multiracial community, the researcher embarked on a qualitative research, social constructionism, postmodernism and postfoundationalism in specific reference to the community of Olievenhoutsbosch Township. This is one of the rare urban townships in South Africa where almost all the races, classes, socio-economic statutes, ethnic groupings and foreigners are found. This study proceeded from a narrative research approach to listen to the stories of people living in this township. The aim of the research was to understand how meaning was being constructed with regard to Ubuntu. Ubuntu was frequently mentioned by the co-researchers as the African philosophy embracing 'Batho Pele' (People first), Rainbow Nation, peace, forgiveness and reconciliation in South Africa. The study traces the historical experiences of human settlement from colonialism, apartheid to post-apartheid. The research proceeded to transversal interdisciplinary conversation where academics from the fields of Clinical Psychology, Political Sciences and Education, reflected their voices. The study concludes with findings, reflections and recommendations that Ubuntu is essential for human beings and the lack of Ubuntu results to corruption in South Africa.