Ubuntu

Ubuntu
A Management Philosophy
What Is Ubuntu?
One of the most striking features of the cultures of sub-Saharan Africa is their non-individualistic character: “Although African cultures display awesome diversity, they also show remarkable similarities. Community is the cornerstone in African thought and life.” An African is not a rugged individual, but a person within a community. In the words of John Mbiti, “I am, because we are; and since we are, therefore I am.” Or, as Yusufu Turaki puts it: “People are not individuals, living in a state of independence, but part of a community, living in relationships and interdependence.”
Leaders Definition
Nelson Mandela: Ubuntu = Respect, Helpfulness, Caring, Community Sharing.
Desmund Tutu = A thumb could not kill on its own, it would require a collective co-operation of all fingers to achieve such a feet.
Mbiti: Ubuntu = Humanness or being,
5 Pillars of Ubuntu: Survival, Solidarity, Compassion, Dignity and Respect
A broad view of Ubuntu
“In the old days when we were young, a traveler would stop at the village, and once he had stopped he would not ask for food or drinks. Once he stopped, people would give him food at the table.” Nelson Mandela Implementation in Management
Khoza (1994) tried to link the Ubuntu philosophy to management in practice in South Africa. He indicated that the Ubuntu philosophy will allow for supportiveness, co-operation and solidarity in the workplace.
Mbiti (1997) indicated that the Ubuntu philosophy has the potential to move into the new global market, but not by means of Western or Eastern paradigms, but by its own means and heritage.
Problems
No definition or specific set of values for Ubuntu, and Mbiti indicates that every African leader has to implement Ubuntu in the organization under his own set of values. Thus there is still a lot of grey areas surrounding the Ubuntu as management philosophy.
So what is Ubuntu then? Your own opinion? Just to care about people?
How is the Ubuntu philosophy managed across all 11 languages and different cultures within South Africa? Anglo America…
How does the management philosophy of Ubuntu regulated in corporations with regards to the equity status (BBBEE).
Is Ubuntu unique in African Cultures?
Is Ubuntu unique in black South African cultures?
Zulu: Ubuntu
Xhosa: Umunthu Ngumuntu Ngubatho
Swahili: Utu
Kiswahili: Ujamaa, was the first Ubuntu type of philosophy implemented in Tanzania 1967.
Indian, Germans, French,
Ubuntu is only a name. All cultures have some sort of Ubuntu
Final thought
Ubuntu is a stunning, humane approach to a dignified workplace. There is further investigation needed with regards to the values of the Ubuntu. And I believe that the Ubuntu philosophy could be could change the face of organizations in the future if managed in the true sense of the word.