Among the wildlife documentaries that I find so interesting are the ones showing how other experienced mother elephants in a herd of elephants show care and great concern for new mother elephants who need extra help to care for their newborn babies. The other mother elephants often take turns looking after the new baby, using their sensitive trunks to guide it while the new mother elephants regain strength and vitality which enhances quality milk production. Adult African elephants are also seen making very serious attempts to rescue baby elephants stuck in mud, by scraping away mud around the baby elephant as another is seen slowly nudging the baby elephant so that it can break free. This kind of helping behaviour often referred to as altruistic behaviour (helping others at great expense) promotes group survival and creates a strong bond among the elephant flock. (I believe the original and fascinating version of this documentary was given by Boyd Varty, a wildlife activist in Southern Africa in his TEDtalk titled ‘What I learned from Nelson Mandela.’ https://www.ted.com/talks/boyd_varty_what_i_learned_from_nelson_mandela#t-113215.)
This documentary and Vardy’s TEDtalk make me reflect on one of the philosophies that has helped the African people to survive and bond together in their communities in history — the Ubuntu (humanness) Philosophy. It is a social philosophy that is based on principles of care and community, harmony and hospitality, respect, and responsiveness. It is fundamentally an expression of human interconnectedness which is vital for existence. Ubuntu is a Zulu/Xhosa word; although traced to the Bantu people of South Africa, the idea is shared by all Africans. The Ubuntu philosophy is simply saying, a person is a person because of other persons or through other persons. This concept is contrary to the individualistic and utilitarian philosophies that characterise some parts of the world today. The apartheid and political development in South Africa brought the Ubuntu concept back to focus through its emphasis by African leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Thabo Mbeki which has led to the promotion of the age-long African value of love and care, truth and reconciliation and peaceful co-existence. The Ubuntu philosophy should remind the African Christian of the biblical emphasis on virtues of true spirituality and practical Christianity. A brief discussion of three of these virtues is presented below.
First, love for others. Jesus describes love among Christians as a great mark of their identity as his disciples, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35). The distinguishing factor of African Christianity, therefore, would be love for one another. According to the writings of John the apostle, Christians can only prove their love for God by loving others (1 John 4:20). Practical love is basic in the concept of Ubuntu, it is not selfish or self-centred. Paul the apostle in 1 Cor 13:5 describes Christian love as not dishonouring others and not self-seeking. Ubuntu reminds the Christian to respect others out of love and not look down on others. Practically, this implies that love must be the defining factor of African spirituality. The expression of love for others must be cherished; it must transcend both ethnic and denominational barriers. Church leaders in Africa must not promote their individual denominations at the expense of other Christian denominations. Love for other members of the Body of Christ must never be compromised. This will create strong bonds among African Christians and strengthen the African church against persecution and marginalisation.
Second, is the emphasis on care for others. The Ubuntu Philosophy is a reminder of James’ definition of true religion (James 1:27; 2:14-25). With reference to biblical examples of personalities like Abraham and Rahab, James enjoins Christians to express care and hospitality as a true mark of the Christian faith. The African Christian, therefore, must be reminded that the ministry of care for the poor and needy is foundational to his faith, hence, is the need to ensure that one’s potential, influence and wealth is directed towards poverty alleviation, care for the sick, relief for the destitute within and outside the church. The African Christian must give towards missionary activities aimed at providing care for internally displaced persons, refugees, victims of terrorist attacks and the persecuted, moreso in light of the contemporary challenge of insecurity and the rising incidents of insecurity in Africa today. The havoc done by Boko Haram in countries like Nigeria, Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon and the deadly attacks of bandits and Fulani killer herdsmen leaves so many of their victims in need of the ministry of care that the church must provide. The Ubuntu concept reminds the African Christian of the need to focus more on meeting the needs of people rather than focusing on church buildings and materialistic pursuit at the expense of the poor and needy people of Africa in general and the African church in particular. Ubuntu should remind the African Christian that as the African communities survived through expressions of care for one another, so also the Bible emphasises that the survival of the church will be through care for one another (especially the poor and needy), not through investment in automobiles, aircrafts, luxurious estates, and gigantic church buildings at the expense of the ministry of care for the poor and the needy. The culture of funding the luxurious lifestyle of rich church leaders and politicians at the expense of poor Africans must end. Christians aspiring for political offices must prioritise the interest of the African people above their own personal interest; that is the only way to reposition Africa for the needed transformation and development.
Lastly, is the emphasis on fellowship with other believers. The writer of Hebrews encouraged Christians not to neglect the habit of meeting together for the purpose of edifying one another. “Not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25). Togetherness in the Ubuntu practice is valued above individualism. The survival of the individual is a function of the efforts of the other members of the community. In like manner, the Christian must be reminded that the Christian fellowship is important for the survival of any Christian. The emergence of various social media platforms and visual platforms is a great development but should not be considered an excellent substitute for Christian fellowship by African Christians. Fellowshiping with one another in-person affords the African Christian the opportunity to interact, share concerns, share emotions, meet physical needs, provide care and encouragement for one another, making room for strong bonding among Christians and strengthening their faith. In conclusion, it is important that African Christians treasure the Ubuntu philosophy of love, care, and fellowship as they represent some of the core values of the Christian faith. Hence, the need to promote the values of Ubuntu within and outside the community of faith above personal interest.