UBUNTU {oǒ’boǒntoō|} - The Documentary

Origin:

The word Ubuntu comes from the Xhosa/Zulu culture, the community into which Nelson Mandela was born, and has been summarized in the phrase, "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" in the Nguni language of Xhosa, Zulu, or Ndebele. The concept of this phrase can be translated to mean, "A person is a person through other persons," or "I am because we are." In his explanation, Mandela touches upon the multi-faceted nature of Ubuntu, as well as the way one feels Ubuntu as an innate duty to support one's fellow man. People should enrich themselves, meaning grow in their own Ubuntu, but true enrichment will naturally align with the duty to act towards the spiritual growth of one's community. Ubuntu is a spiritual ideal, a way of life that is conceptually represented in a wide range of sub-Saharan African societies. While Ubuntu exists in many variations within different African cultures and languages, each conceptualization retains the same core of meaning that is both a goal and a guide for humanity. In a philosophical sense it promotes the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity".

History:

"Ubuntu" as a political philosophy encourages mutual support, community equity and socialization. (which should not be confused with socialism) The name also differs by country, such as in Angola (gimuntu), Botswana (muthu), Burundi (ubuntu), Cameroon (bato), Congo (bantu), Congo Democratic Republic (bomoto/bantu), Kenya (utu/munto/mondo), Malawi (umunthu), Mozambique (vumuntu), Namibia (omundu), Rwanda (ubuntu), South Africa (ubuntu/botho), Tanzania (utu/obuntu/bumuntu), Uganda (obuntu), Zambia (umunthu/ubuntu) and Zimbabwe (Ubuntu, unhu or hunhu). It is also found in other Bantu countries. The are different definitions in different regions, but they all point to one thing – “an authentic individual human being is part of a larger and more significant relational, communal, societal, environmental and spiritual world.”

Barack Obama said, "There is a word in South Africa -- Ubuntu! -- a word that captures Nelson Mandela’s greatest gift: his recognition that we are all bound together in ways that are invisible to the eye; that there is a oneness to humanity; that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us."

Desmond Tutu said, "Ubuntu is the essence of being human. It speaks of how my humanity is caught up and bound up inextricably with yours. It says, not as Descartes did, “I think, therefore I am” but rather, “I am because I belong.” I need other human beings in order to be human."

Nelson Mandela said, "The spirit of Ubuntu – that profound African sense that we are human only through the humanity of other human beings – is not a parochial phenomenon, but has added globally to our common search for a better world."

Destiny:

The purpose and destiny of this project is to present the meaning and values of Ubuntu across all regions of Africa and around the world. By creating a Video Documentary that focuses on the Social, Ethical, Moral and Universal aspects of Ubuntu and how it can be applied in practical life situations, will allow teachers and leaders the opportunity to share these valuable lessons with their respective communities and hopefully inspire the next generation to become enthusiastic activists to bring about more peace and global progress. Let’s bring the Spirit of Ubuntu to the world!

So we invite you to participate to make this Vision become a Reality!

The Documentary Team

Kudzai Tinago (Film Director)
Antoinette Rootsdawtah Hall
(Travel Coordinator / Interviewer)
Answer Sofa (Technical Assistant)
Pato Banton (Project Coordinator)
Gard Jameson (Executive Director)
Sponsored by Compassionate Las Vegas
In association w/ The Ubuntu Global Network
(Moses Machipisa ~ UGN Secretary General)

The Age of Ubuntu by Gard Jameson

"Behold, the Light of Africa's Heart shines brightly, bringing renewed faith in the love of the Supreme God, trust in the goodness of Divine Reality, and Assurance in the unfolding Age of Ubuntu!

The Age of Ubuntu is even now dawning upon the planet, revealing the power of spiritual interdependence to transform families, communities, nations, even the entire globe, to bring an era of Light and Love, to transform the darkness of fear and violence into the divine light of love and peace.

The Age of Ubuntu, from time immemorial, in every indigenous culture brings the power of compassion to heal the wounds that separate us, to liberate all humanity, in truth, for all creation to live in harmony.

This, brothers and sisters of the world, is the promise of the Age of Ubuntu. Blessed are the meek, for they shall, in truth and in power inherit the earth!

Behold, the Age of Ubuntu is upon us. May we each and all graciously cross the threshold into the Age of Ubuntu!"

By Gard Jameson