The common conception of Botho/Ubuntu is that it is a theory of African humanism. Many reasons suggest however, that its application and understanding in the contemporary socio-political imagination in societies where Botho/ Ubuntu is preached, is merely as a practical ideology. Viewed as an ideology, its role as an ethical guide for conduct is also contradicted by the very same practices that constitute Botho/Ubuntu. How do we reconcile Botho/Ubuntu for example, with the genocide in Burundi and Rwanda or the deeply entrenched political corruption in contemporary Africa? My presentation underscores the limitations and dangers imposed upon Botho/Ubuntu when held as an ideology, and seeks to examine different ways in which Botho/Ubuntu may be applied as a contemporary African humanism that is not tied to ideology. Redeeming it from the shackles of ideology enables its availability as a genuine ethical practice and healthy humanism. In redemption of the concept, I will present Botho/Ubuntu in an historical context as a philosophy and culture of African peoples with 12 relevance for our conversation on diversity, humanism and shared well-being. I will explore the role of Botho/Ubuntu as a dialogic philosophy of culture that is mutually transformative. Botho/Ubuntu is thus additionally understood as a healing tradition, a call for diversity and for personal responsibility.
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Michael Onyebuchi Eze, PhD
University of Amsterdam, University of Cambridge
Michael Onyebuchi Eze currently teaches African political theory at the University of Amsterdam and a fellow at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge. Until recently, he was a visiting scholar at the … MORE
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Lily Mafela, MA, PhD
University of Botswana
Lily Mafela is a Professor of History and History Education at the University of Botswana in the Department of Languages and Social Sciences Education. She joined her department in 1983 … MORE