KorzandoS Vol I Issue 02 KorzandoS Vol I Issue 02 | Page 9
I am because we are
SOCIETY , VALUES , VIRTUES ubuntu
Ubuntu ..? You ’ ve quirked an eyebrow and have got a slightly bemused expression on your face , right ? Actually , the Linux distro borrowed this Zulu word “ Ubuntu ”. Ubuntu is a phrase that literally means “ I am because we are ”.
The story is told of an European anthropologist who after concluding his research in Africa , decided to while away the time whilst waiting for his airport bus . Our anthropologist gathered the children of the village and told them to race a short distance to a nearby tree . Under the tree was a basket of sweets ; the winner ’ s reward .
Much to his surprise , the children held hands and ran together to the tree . They shared the sweets amongst themselves . They simply responded to his puzzled enquiry about their unusually unselfish behavior with a question of their own , “ how can one of us be happy when the rest are all sad ?”.
Ubuntu is the inborn quality of every African . Back in the day , no African child was ever raised by parents alone .
Neither was the welfare of any individual of the African society a burden on their family alone and there was always an inexhaustible aura of good cheer and benevolence to keep our traditional societies a happy haven for all .
To some extent , modernization of our culture has reduced the will of this great African virtue and it cannot be realistically pursued in the bustling lifestyle of our fast moving cities . No matter , we still can live it up in our own small way , the Spirit of Africa , they say , is always alive .
We should never let our own ambitions and desires fill up our heads so much that we cannot see beyond them to positively impact the lives of people
I am because
in our society . After all , what good is a Kingly title when the bearer of the title has no regard for it ? By all means let ’ s pursue academic excellence and financial success , but let it never be at the
we
expense of our Proud African Morality . Always look at the are
bigger picture , put what matters into perspective while placing your markers .