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The end of essentialist gods and Ubuntu : a feminist critical investigation

  • Authors: Mzondi, Abraham Modisa Mkhondo
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Feminist theology - Africa , Ubuntu (Philosophy)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/122018 , uj:20597
  • Description: Abstract: Armstrong (1993, 2009), Ferguson (1995) and others have convincingly demonstrated that different people conceptualise different god ideas to suit their diverse socio-cultural contexts. Their work laid the necessary groundwork for this study which juxtaposed god and Ubuntu constructs, affirming the fact that people are natural social constructivists involved in a continuous process of conceptualising ideas (ideologies/theologies) that work for them and give meaning to their contexts. Extending the ongoing construction of new god ideas also to that of Ubuntu, different sets of ideas of Ubuntu were investigated. This proved that this basic idea of African “humanness” similarly becomes concretised within diverse interest groups. Thus the thesis of this study as reflected in its title, “The end of essentialist gods andUbuntu: A feminist critical investigation” was substantiated. Two research methods, one general (social constructivism) and one specific (feminism) were employed to conduct the study. Social constructivism is a theory developed to understand human interactions and consequent ideas. It has two essential elements known as philosophical idealism and philosophical materialism; and culture and context form its basis. Insights of the notion of philosophical idealism were employed to analyse the ideationist constructs of religion (gods) and of Ubuntu. Whereas social-constuctivism served as the broad overarching hermeneutical tool, feminism was used as the specific interpretive framework to critically scrutinise mostly patriarchally biased conceptualisations of god and Ubuntu... , D.Litt. et Phil. (Biblical Studies)
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"Two souls" leadership: dynamic interplay of Ubuntu, Western and New Testament leadership values

  • Authors: Mzondi, Abraham Modisa Mkhondo
  • Date: 2010-05-20T06:35:43Z
  • Subjects: Ubuntu (Philosophy) , Social values , Christian leadership , Training of religious leaders
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6806 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3240
  • Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The post-1994 South African society has become humanistic, pluralistic and tolerant. The era is characterised by a call and commitment to build a non–racial, non–sexist, and non–discriminatory society enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa. These conditions challenge African evangelical leaders to minister the gospel without losing their faith and cultural identity. They also provide such leaders with an opportunity to effectively minister the gospel to others within their cultures and value systems. In an earlier study, which described how leaders of this type have developed and which values influenced them, the researcher discovered that: (a) these leaders follow the same developmental phases mentioned in Clinton‘s leadership emergence pattern and (b) the family played an important role in influencing, shaping and passing certain values to these leaders. In addition to these observations, the results of the completed questionnaires in the earlier study reflect that the leaders who participated in the previous study were significantly influenced by African and Western values. The influence of theses sets of values was referred to as operating with ―two souls‖, a condition which indicates that a person is simultaneously embracing both African and Western values without creating a dichotomy. The implication is that these leaders have embraced both kinds of values in their ministry and daily lives, without realising it. The researcher based the current study upon the recommendation that a qualitative study on African evangelical leadership development be conducted to determine areas that the researcher did not cover earlier. Based upon this recommendation he engaged in three tasks which constitute the purpose of this study: to (a) compare Ubuntu with Western values among African evangelical leaders in the same district and relate these values to New Testament leadership values, (b) argue that the ministry context of African evangelical leaders in the district dictates that they operate with ―two souls‖, and (c) develop a leadership training module for evangelical leaders in the district who participated in the study to enable them to minister in the culturally diverse, humanistic and pluralistic society of South Africa.
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A comparative analysis of Michael Tomasello’s theory of humanness and the African philosophy of Ubuntu

  • Authors: Leslie, Lindsay
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Communication , Humanity , Altruism , Philosophy, African , Tomasello, Michael , Ubuntu (Philosophy)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/294463 , uj:32041
  • Description: Abstract: A number of theories on humanness exist in both the West and Africa. This dissertation presents a comparative critical analysis of different theories on humanness: altruism in Western philosophy, and ubuntu in African philosophy. Michael Tomasello holds that human cooperation is a result of the uniqueness of human communication. He proposes that human beings’ advanced cognitive abilities are what allows them to make sense of the world through the use of communication. The uniqueness of human communication has resulted in the development of humanity; the development from primal beings to the uniquely evolved beings that they currently embody. As a result of this ontogenesis, Tomasello holds that the evolution of human communication happened as a result of two factors, ecological and cultural, which have left human beings interdependent and mutualistic. Interdependence and mutualism resulted in shared activities but also shared forms of communication. Tomasello says that communication is what allows human beings to behave cooperatively, and thus also altruistically. Cooperation resulted in shared identity and harmonious relationships, the cornerstones of ubuntu. Although ubuntu is a multifaceted construct of the identification of humanness through humanness, it comprises many of the same characteristics as altruism. Crucially, this dissertation argues that although these theories are different, they present related perspectives and characteristics that are shared by human beings in ways that are unique. , M.A. (Fundamental Communication)
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African ethics and journalism ethics : news and opinion in light of Ubuntu

  • Authors: Metz, Thaddeus
  • Date: 2015-04-15
  • Subjects: African ethics , Journalism ethics , Media ethics , Ubuntu (Philosophy) , Ubuntu journalism - South Africa
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5572 , ISSN 08900523 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14225
  • Description: In this article, I address some central issues in journalism ethics from a fresh perspective, namely, one that is theoretical and informed by values salient in sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on a foundational moral theory with an African pedigree, which is intended to rival Western theories such as Kantianism and utilitarianism, I provide a unified account of an array of duties of various agents with respect to the news/opinion media. I maintain that the ability of the African moral theory to plausibly account for issues such as proper content, investigative ethics, and freedom of speech means that it should be taken seriously by media ethicists and merits being paired up against competing approaches in future work.
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The end of essentialist gods and Ubuntu: a feminist critical investigation

  • Authors: Mzondi, A. M. M , Viviers, H
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Feminist theology - Africa , Ubuntu (Philosophy)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/92258 , uj:20207 , Citation: Mzondi, A.M.M & Viviers, H. 2016. The end of essentialist gods and Ubuntu : a feminist critical investigation.
  • Description: Abstract:The focus on god and Ubuntu constructs affirms the fact that people are natural social constructivists involved in a continuous process of conceptualising ideas that give meaning to their contexts. The juxtaposing of these two constructs extends what is known of new god ideas to that of Ubuntu or African ‘humanness.’ Whereas ideology criticism served as the broad overarching hermeneutical tool for this study, feminism was used as the specific interpretative framework to critically scrutinise mostly patriarchally biased conceptualisations of god and Ubuntu. In contrast to Western feminism, African womanism, with its emphasis on African Motherhood/Womanhood, contributed to a much needed contextual and culturally sensitive analysis of Ubuntu in particular. It was concluded that there are various god and Ubuntu constructs and that it is no longer tenable to claim a single (dogmatic/essentialist) god or a single (dogmatic) Ubuntu to structure reality meaningfully. ‘Truth’ lives only momentarily as history continues to unfold and people find new ways in their search for meaning.
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May the real Ubuntu please stand up?

Exploring the principle of ubuntu in the South African criminal law system

  • Authors: Xaba, Thinabakho Ruth
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: South Africa. Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1997 , Ubuntu (Philosophy) , Sentences (Criminal procedure) - South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/271057 , uj:28822
  • Description: LL.M. , Abstract: The principle of ubuntu, although an age old African principle was first given content in South Africa’s jurisprudence in the landmark case of S v Makwanyane 1995 3 SA 391 (CC). The court reminded us of the meaning of the principle as well as it’s compatibility with our Fundamental Human Rights as entrenched in the Constitution. The purpose of this study is to illustrate the important uses that ubuntu and some of its key values have in South Africa’s legal system, specifically in the sentencing stage of the criminal procedure. Currently the sentencing stage is regulated by the Criminal Law Amendment Act. Under the statue, judges can only deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences if there exists “substantial and compelling circumstances”. Although S v Malgas 2001 (2) SA 1222 (SCA) provided a meaning for the term as well as assurance that the term does not curtail a judge’s discretion at sentencing, there is evidence that more is needed to aid judges in reaching sentences reflect of South Africa’s transformative Constitution. This study proposes that the principle of ubuntu is such an aid. That within ubuntu’s breadth of meaning our courts are afforded with an interpretation not only in line with the Constitution, but one that encompasses values such as humanness, compassion, social justice, collective unity, fairness, human dignity and respect. Which values also accord with ideals of restorative justice.
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Talking Ubuntu : toward a relational talk show model

  • Authors: Tavernaro-Haidarian, Leyla
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Ubuntu (Philosophy) , Humanism , Ethnoscience
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/241092 , uj:24813
  • Description: Abstract: The following research teases out a talk show concept that is based on ‘harmonious and cohesive’ understandings of power and stands in contrast to many mainstream popular talk show formats. The model facilitates participatory discourse and exhibits what I call ‘deliberation culture’ rather than ‘argument culture’. It is based on an analysis of talk shows sampled from South Africa and the United States and builds on the existing literature of ubuntu-based ethics. As such, ‘deliberation culture’ challenges the prevailing approach of current democratic discourses, which pan out as contests of power between inherently conflicting interests and which are riddled with challenges, costs and consequences. In light of these, other non-adversarial approaches to public discourse are worth considering. This requires adopting an alternative realism, which opens a space for discursive inquiry that is participatory, exploratory and effective and the question becomes: how can we reframe public discourses to promote this end? The African philosophy of ubuntu offers valuable insights into this endeavor as it espouses relational notions of power that contrast and complement individualist facets. It provides the space to develop the language and concepts to think and speak in ways that support cooperative societal structures and practices such as ‘deliberation culture’. Deliberation culture rests on the premise that humanity is essentially one and that the various interests of individuals and groups, while diverse and textured, can be conceived of as... , D.Litt. et Phil.
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Ubuntu and political power

  • Authors: Akpan, Andrew Francis
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Political science - Philosophy , Ubuntu (Philosophy)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/453388 , uj:40025
  • Description: Abstract: How is power to be distributed in a political party in the light of characteristically Africancommunal values, or Ubuntu for short? Wiredu in his consensual democracy argues that power should be distributed equally to all who are party to governance. I find problems with such a distributive model by making three arguments against it. First, I show that the positionalities of those within a political party ought to be recognised rather than ignored or treated as irrelevant, for the benefit of entrusting power to the one who possesses favourable qualities and competencies. Second, I show the identity of interests’ thesis which is foundational to Wiredu’s consensus is not only untrue but also undesirable. Third, I argue that making agreement the fundamental value leads to the lack of interest satisfaction that might come about from certain kinds of deference. In contrast to Wiredu, I argue that power should be distributed in a partialist sense by paying attention to one’s qualifications to entrust the most qualified with political power. This qualification could be judged based on one’s competence, or on arbitrary things like one’s race or one’s gender to name a few, if the intention is to address past injustices, but above all, on one’s ability to be in relationship of identity and solidarity with others. This model favours a sort of hierarchy, the sort that captures our intuition about the proper relationship in the family or the right relationship between the teacher and the student. The unique thing about this sort of relationship is that power is exercised not so much as a right but as a duty, a duty to protect and advance the humanity of those under the politician’s influence of authority, while also respecting the humanity of strangers. On this model, even though political power could be authoritative, it ought to be productive, transformative, and compatible with individual dignity. My position avoids the problems that face Wiredu’s model. , M.A. (Philosophy)
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Ubuntu as a strategy to promote a multicultural school ethos

  • Authors: Moyo, Lisang
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Multicultural education , Ubuntu (Philosophy)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/450122 , uj:39553
  • Description: M.Ed. (Educational Leadership and Management) , Abstract: As South African schools continue to become more integrated in terms of race and culture, school leaders need to find ways to address diversity and create a harmonious school community. This study focused on Ubuntu as a strategy to promote a multicultural ethos in schools. The theoretical framework was Malunga’s (2009:12) five pillars of Ubuntu Leadership and Poovan, du Toit and Engelbrecht’s (2006:18) values of Ubuntu. Data was collected by means of three focus group interviews with the SMTs in three primary schools. Data was analysed by means of thematic analysis and five themes emerged. The first theme was ‘attitudes towards Ubuntu as a strategy to promote multiculturalism’ which indicated that participants were in favour of the Ubuntu approach and agreed that it could work at their schools. However, a condition necessary for Ubuntu philosophy to succeed in schools indicated that the Department of Education needs to endorse the concept of Ubuntu formally. ‘Challenges to multiculturalism in schools’ emerged as the second theme which indicated that the people in the school community avoid conversions about each other religious beliefs and cultural traditions...
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