Where in the Church can we find ubuntu?

BY PROF NOMALUNGELO GODUKA

Christ came for the salvation of humanity; he was present among us then, and is present every day in the Eucharist. He represents the quintessence and epitome of humaneness. In the South African culture, this humaneness is the embodiment of ubuntu/botho. It is demonstrated through the principles and virtues of love, humility, peace and forgiveness, compassion, respect, kindness and sharing.

Ubuntu/botho is the essence of the African cultural value that affirms oneness of humanity in that “you are in me, I am in you”,  therefore, “I am we.”

This shows that humans are in a web of connectedness to the extent that what makes you happy, makes me happy; conversely, what hurts you, hurts me.

These old-age principles are also practised in other cultures. In the Chinese culture, jen is the foundational virtue of Confucianism. It is the principle of humaneness which is best translated as benevolence, goodness, kindness and love.

In the Lekota culture and language of Native Americans, this value is demonstrated in the principle of mitakuye oyasin, which means all my relations are interconnected and interdependent and each has equal value in the eyes of the Creator.

Both in the Old and New Testaments, multiple examples of the power of ubuntu are illustrated. For example, in Genesis 23:15–27, a servant is being sent by Abraham to find a wife for his son Isaac from his land of birth. “How will I know that she is the chosen one?” asks Abraham. Out of the blue, a girl appeared, and brought water to him and his camels. Then he knew.

In Luke we read the parable of the Good Samaritan (10:25–36), and in Mark  about the Widow’s Offering (12:41-44). Many other parables demonstrate these virtues.

Some of us who were part of a segregated Catholic Church during apartheid, whereby whites sat in the front pews while the rest of us sat at the back of the church, are very fortunate to have lived long enough to see and taste transformation in the Church.

This was the period during which the bishops and priests were imported from Europe. Whether you were in the rural areas, such as in my village kwa-Manxeba, e-Heshele, or at All Saints cathedral in Mthatha, the Mass was conducted in Latin from “Kyrie eleison” to “Pater noster qui es in coelis”  to “Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi” to “O Salutaris Hostia” and “Tantum ergo Sacramentum” for the Benediction.

As a young girl who attended boarding schools at St Theresa mission and Mariazell, I chanted and recited all prayers in Latin from the beginning of Mass to the end; I could chant these prayers in my sleep then; I still can chant them now! I did not understand the prayers and rituals in the Church then, but still embraced and believed in the Catholic teachings.

Today, prayers and the Church’s rituals are performed in our African languages, and have brought more meaning to what the Catholic Church stands for.

Many of us survived the segregation; our Catholicism and faith remained anchored in knowing that Jesus does not segregate on the basis of colour or wealth; but is the Jesus of love, compassion; and therefore an embodiment of ubuntu/botho.

However, there were and are many casualties who turned their back away from the Catholic Church, unfortunately never looking back.

As a Catholic, the quest for me personally is to live and practise the virtue of ubuntu in and outside the Church. The major obligation that I have chosen is to support through prayer the young African bishops and priests in Southern Africa.

These young shepherds are a gift from heaven. These young men were born and raised in our villages and attended boarding schools some of us attended. They are our uncles, brothers, cousins and some are young enough to be our sons. They speak our languages and can personally relate to the painful state of poverty, unemployment, corruption, segregation, moral degeneration and decay that are ravaging many lives within rural communities in Southern Africa—and above all the loss of ubuntu/botho, especially among our youth. We need their guidance and prayers.

They, in turn, need our spiritual support in every form and shape, so they can perform the work of being dedicated and committed shepherds in an untiring and unwavering manner.

Africa, the cradle of humankind and the foundation of ubuntu/botho, must stand tall and sow seeds of these virtues, in our continent and globally.

I also believe deep in my heart, in the spirit of humility, respect and ubuntu/botho, that someday a pope will emerge from the continent of Africa!

God bless Africa, the present generation and posterity! Nkosi Sikelel’ Africa, usapho lwayo, nesizukulwana esizayo!

Professor Nomalungelo Goduka is currently the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Ulwazi Lwemveli Research chair at Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha. She belongs to All Saints cathedral parish in Mthatha.