The History

UBUNTU

The term ubuntu appears in South African sources from as early as the mid-19th century. Reported translations covered the semantic field of "human nature, humanness, humanity; virtue, goodness, kindness."

Ubuntu induces an ideal of shared human subjectivity that promotes a community's good through an unconditional recognition and appreciation of individual uniqueness and difference. Audrey Tang has suggested that Ubuntu "implies that everyone has different skills and strengths; people are not isolated, and through mutual support they can help each other to complete themselves.

'To be human is to affirm one's humanity by recognizing the humanity of others and, on that basis, establish respectful human relations with them.'

"Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness, you can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality – ubuntu – you are known of your generosity."

Ubuntu puts humanity as a mirror to itself. We are because you are. Since you are, I am. It does not mean that the right of the individual is sold to the collective. Individual uniqueness is also appreciated.