Page 12 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 17

Community

currently benefit from in its pursuit
of integrated sustainable develop-
ment, knowledge and philosophy.
The proverb intervenes in discourse
to air a thought, to sum up public
opinion, to clarify a point, to spur a
debate, or to bring humor to serious
matters. However, among all, the
philosophy of Ubuntu-as-Unity is
fundamental.

For the African continent, which has
always been said by the white man
to be devoid of culture, proverbs
are cultural vehicles and windows Ubuntu, with an emphasis on social Gikuyu say Gutiri ciira wa kimwem-
through which it is possible to cast cohesion, giving rise to an empow- we (Judgment knows no discrimi-
a look at the Africans’ world-view. ering reconceptualization of what it nation). Both proverbs emphasize
They are also marked as African means to be an African, as embod- the fairness and impartiality when
treasures, for they hold pure, indige- ied in the term – Ubuntu-as-Unity. settling the disputes. Discrimination
nous, African-lived experiences and Again, Ubuntu philosophy is seen among the suspected offenders
intuitions, knowledge and values, on issues of humanity, for example, was greatly discouraged. Emphasis
philosophy and principles that Afri- ‘Kugara hunzwana’, which means was on the intensity of the crime
can societies can benefit from. They ‘living together, calls for peaceful and not to harbor grudges against
tell what it means to be African, co-existence’. The Shona peo- suspects. See how the ether has
because Africa is the birthplace of ple of Zimbabwe, (on behalf of changed, nowadays cases are settled
humankind and knowing its history other African societies) place unity by spear and blasts of guns, being
is essential. and humanity at the centre of the poor is a crime and being rich puts
universe and construct everything one above the law. For whose inter-
It is clear from these proverbs that around the person. It is the wisdom est is Africa serving?
African philosophy socializes people that promotes solidarity and harmo-
to think about others in society. ny in human relationships, with the The African spirit of communality
Success and failure are viewed col- sense of humanism. is maintained through the extension
lectively and not on individual basis. of hospitality to others. As a virtue,
Similarly, problems are resolved The philosophy of Ubuntu man- communality encourages mutual
through consultation with the elders ifests itself in issues of diligence, assistance among the people. The
playing a leading role. Modern soci- whose ultimate goal is self-reliance. philosophy of Ubuntu here believes
ety could benefit from this approach The key aspect of self-reliance is the that Individualism has to be pursued
by revitalizing components of the ownership of natural resources by within the matrix of the welfare of
African thinking, which celebrates indigenous people of a nation, the the society which resultantly brings
the collective, as opposed to individ- most important being the land. The honor and pride to the society.
ualism. land is the basis of the people’s ma- “Individualism is accepted when it
Africa is well known for being a land terial life. It is the backbone of the correlates with societal aspirations.
of peace, but that cannot be cher- national economy and is, as a result, Everybody has a role to play in
ished without acknowledging the a very important natural resource. communal obligations but they also
contribution of African proverbs, In short, life comes from the land have private lives. The individual,
which are the vehicles of wisdom. and its exploitation is essential for therefore, has to strike a balance
African proverbs are a vital compo- human social advancement. between the claims of individual-
nent of the indigenous knowledge In the administration of justice, ity and communality because the
systems of Africans, as they can be leaders were not expected to use individual welfare and communal
used to resolve conflict at both the violence or to intimidate dispu- welfare are not exclusionary entities.
micro and macro levels of society. It tants. This is why they say Mhosva For example, the Ndebele proverb
has further been revealed that prov- haitongwi nepfumo (A case is not says “Unyawo alulampumulo” (the
erbs incorporate the philosophy of settled by a spear). Related to this, foot has no rest) which means that

12 | we tell the true afrikan story