Blog for CSC SA 16,
Tuesday, October 18
“Ubuntu – I am because
you are.”
Some thoughts about the culture of South Africa
Some thoughts about the culture of South Africa
By Martin Gerhardt
For me, CSC does not
only mean to work on pro bono projects and have fun together, it also means to
get much more insight into the culture and people of the country hosting us and
learning from them.
In the past days I was
more and more impressed by my experiences in South Africa and the exchanges
with local people about the history of South Africa and their current ambitions.
I am still amazed how
close the end of the apartheid system (1994) is from today and how much the
people in South Africa have overcome this period.
After all what has
happened during apartheid, I would have expected to find much more hate in this
country - resulting in physical conflicts.
But what I observe is
a nation, which is aspired to become a nation of one people integrating people
from different cultures and religions – respecting and tolerating each other
peacefully. That there are 11 official languages in South Africa is just an expression
for this ethical attitude.
Today I have learned
that this attitude is best expressed by one word: Ubuntu.
This word has its
origin in the African Nguni languages like Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi or Ndebele.
The free translation
in English is “I am, because you are.”
But there is much more
behind it. Just find out and think more about it.
For me – especially
also with respect to the refugee problem in Europe and our global challenges on
the world – this word and its meaning has just in days like these gained much
more in importance.
Ubuntu,
Martin
Well said Martin!!
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