Voice 1
Thank you for joining us for today’s Spotlight. I’m Ruby Jones.
Voice 2
And I’m Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting.
Voice 1
Could one word change the world?
Voice 2
Just say “ubuntu!”
Voice 1
Recently, the former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, was visiting a meeting of the British Labour party, the ruling political group. He told the Labour party:
“Society and community are important because of ubuntu.”
Voice 2
What did President Clinton mean?
Voice 1
Today’s Spotlight is on ubuntu!
Voice 2
The word ubuntu comes from Africa. It is part of the Bantu language spoken in southern Africa. And it is connected to an idea from the Zulu tribe. The Zulu people say “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu.”
Voice 1
That is a mouthful!
Voice 2
Yes, it is! But umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu has a very important meaning. It means that a person is only a person through their relationship with other people. Or, a person could not exist without relations with other people. The word ubuntu comes from that Zulu idea. It means, “I am because you are.”
Voice1
African leader Desmond Tutu once said
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“Ubuntu is very difficult to translate into a Western language. But, it is to say, ‘My humanity is caught up with your humanity, my humanity is bound or is connected to yours.”
Voice 1
Tutu’s definition explains that there is a common bond between people. It is like people’s lives are tied together. Their lives are connected. It is a difficult idea. But, it is still an important idea for everyone.
Voice 2
I am because you are. This idea communicates the importance of community. You see, there is a strong connection between people. When one person’s situation improves, then the lives of everyone in the community can improve too. But, if one person suffers, then the quality of everyone’s lives is reduced. This is the main idea of ubuntu. If you are sad, then I am sad. If you are happy, then I am happy.
Voice 1
This can be a very hard idea for some people to understand. Ubuntu has many different meanings. And, sometimes the idea is hard to translate into other cultures. You see, the word ubuntu celebrates community. In many countries the community is not as important as the individual. So, it is hard for these individuals to completely understand ubuntu.
Voice 2
But, the word ubuntu is becoming more and more popular. You can find the word in many different areas of life. So, to help everyone understand ubuntu better, here are some more examples. Some of these are traditional examples. And others are new ways that people are living the ubuntu way. We hope that these examples help you understand the true meaning of ubuntu.
Voice 1
First, ubuntu can be a greeting. You can find ubuntu in the way that people say hello to each other. A person will only say that he is doing well if you are doing well. This is a Shona greeting from Zimbabwe, Africa. This greeting could be exchanged with a friend or even a stranger, someone not known.
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“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
Voice 5
“I slept well, if you slept well.”
Voice 4
“How has your day been?”
Voice 5
“My day has been good if your day has been good.”
Voice 2
Second, we can find the idea of ubuntu in politics. We have already said that Desmond Tutu, an important world leader, uses the word ubuntu. He wants to help people understand their responsibilities to one another. He says that if one person is hungry, then the whole community must work together to feed him. That is the ubuntu way.
Voice 1
And former President Bill Clinton also talks about ubuntu in politics. This is his idea about what ubuntu means
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“If we were the most beautiful, the most intelligent, the most wealthy, the most powerful person, and then found, all of a sudden, that we were alone on the planet, it would not amount to a hill of beans!”
Voice 2
President Clinton means that nothing holds much importance if we are alone. What are beauty, intelligence, and wealth if we live alone? Living in community is what gives us wealth. Political governments can help make communities stronger.
Voice 1
Third, people are using ubuntu ideas in their communities. For example, many people in South Africa have AIDS. Sometimes people with AIDS find that their communities reject them. Many people in their communities are afraid of getting AIDS themselves. But, fear of others is not part of ubuntu. So, one community has built a large sign. The sign says, “My friend with AIDS is still my friend - Ubuntu!”
Voice 2
Fourth, ubuntu is an important idea in the work place. The work place is like a small community. When you start a new job, it is like being loyal to a new community. And your happiness at work is linked to the happiness of the people you work with. Workplaces that support ubuntu make sure that every person has value. And everyone is included in decision making.
Voice 1
Fifth, some people link ubuntu to spirituality, or religion. In Africa many people worship their ancestors. They believe that they are part of a long chain, or line of people. They believe that people are connected to their ancestors. And they believe people are connected to those who will live after them, or future generations. Providing for people now means that you are providing for future generations as well.
Voice 2
Christians also like the idea of ubuntu. In the Bible, Jesus says that we should care for our neighbour, the widow, and the poor. That is ubuntu.
Voice 1
It is true that ubuntu is very popular in Africa. Ubuntu is a way of life for many people there. If it were not for ubuntu, many communities would not survive. But, ubuntu is becoming popular in many other countries as well. Rebekah Schipper tells of how she first learned about ubuntu in the United States.
Voice 4
“I went to a Bible study at my friend’s house. When I got to his house, I saw that he was wearing a special shirt. The word ubuntu was written on it. I did not know the meaning of ubuntu. So, I asked my friend what it meant. He explained to me that ubuntu is a word from Africa. It means that people are connected to each other. He explained that ubuntu is important for communities. He said that when a community works together, that is ubuntu. My friend’s son gave him the shirt as a gift. The son explained to his father that their family was like an ubuntu community.”
Voice 2
All over the world the idea of ubuntu is growing. You can see the word ubuntu written on shirts. You can see ubuntu on signs. Companies and organizations have named themselves ubuntu. And there is even an ubuntu university!
Voice 1
You can help to spread the idea of ubuntu where you live. Just remember, I am because you are.
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