Discussion Board 5: Ubuntu/South Africa V18a

Dear OGL 360 leaders,

I think you will enjoy this assignment! It connects with the empathetic aspects of our minds and hearts
(aka Emotional Intelligence). It also begins to consider concepts like reciprocity.

Regarding Individualism vs. Social Bonds: Most students tend to feel comfortable learning about
these examples of African collectivism and mutual support (among humans and elephants). Yet some
are instead tempted to speak about individual “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” political ideas. Such
approaches to individualism are commonly understood within our society; indeed, we have learned
about them since childhood.
Most of our lives in the U.S. we have practiced a kind of Emersonian “Self-Reliance” and a focus on
the self---and to an extent, most of us are comfortable with many aspects of that. Thus, we can assume
that other classmates already have strong drive (Varty, 2013)and ambition. So that is simply not our
focus here.
Instead, in this assignment, let’s focus on connections and social cohesion, rather than lone ambitions
or solitary achievements. Thank you for your understanding!

How much should I write? Aim for two or three complete paragraphs for each prompt. Then add
two detailed replies (two paragraphs each, for two classmates) as well as a few shorter replies to others.

Instructions for Question Prompts: UBUNTU and SOUTH AFRICA

View the first two of the following video clips concerning Ubuntu and South Africa.

VIDEO CLIPS:
1. “What I learned from Nelson Mandela” (by Boyd Varty)
http://www.ted.com/talks/boyd_ varty_what_i_learned_from_ nelson_mandela

2. “Desmond Tutu and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission” Duration:

(7:05). URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujOL8FS2wv4

Optional---additional information about South Africa's civil war (and the need for the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission) is available from many sources, including:
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pjSpbFYWmI
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFYtS27NeLc

If the concept of Ubuntu intrigues you I recommend the following audiobook. The first chapter or two may seem
a bit contrived, but after a while it becomes quite worthwhile and interesting: Ubuntu!: An Inspiring Story About
an African Tradition of Teamwork and Collaboration, by Bob Nelson and Stephen Lundin (The audiobook is
available through many public libraries.)
PROMPTS: Please Copy-and-Paste the material below into the Discussion
Board. (Please don’t copy-and-paste the general instructions from page 1.)
1. Select two short quotes from the Ubuntu video; list them here and discuss their meaning.
Choose quotes that you find especially interesting and/or quotes that help explain the major
themes in the video. Don’t forget to cite the specific location of the quotes (using the time-counter,
e.g., “1:20”).///

Quote 1: “In a more collective society we realize from the inside that our own well-being is deeply tied
to the well-being of others, danger is shared, pain is shared, joy is shared, achievement is shared, houses
are shared, food is shared, and Ubuntu asks us to open our hearts…” (Varty, 2013, “8:48).

This quote represents the overall theme of this video of the value of community and how in Africa the
culture is sharing and looking out for each other’s well-being. Varty’s speech is in the format of
storytelling which draws the audience in about his experience on Safari land and his experience with the
animals and people he has met. This quote comes after his life was saved by Solly (a friend) from a
crocodile attack. His bravery and instinct to go in the water was leadership and caring that not others
would think have first-hand when having faced such a challenge.

Quote 2: “What Elvis and the heard taught me caused me to expand my definition of Ubuntu, and I
believe that most part of the universe in the cathedral of the wild we get to see the most beautiful part of
ourselves reflect back at us. And it is not only through other people that we get to experience our
humanity but through all the creatures that live on this planet”. (Varty, 2013, 12:12).

This quote is an eye opening revelation of Ubuntu, although in Africa is for people it can be for every
living thing on this earth. Varty learned a lot from his experiences and the theme of him finding his own
definition of Ubuntu inspired him to look at this in all living things and use this as his value. This
revelation of his journey for Ubuntu was a major theme throughout the film and his reflection
personified his values of how he sees the world differently and how it can change perspectives. We can
change and challenge the process by using Ubuntu to improve yourself and learn from experiences.

2. Summarize the entire “Truth and Reconciliation” video in a paragraph, in your own words. (In
other words, explain the video to someone unfamiliar with these events.) How might we be able to
use some aspect of “Truth and Reconciliation” in our own lives---personally or in groups?///

This video is about the truth and reconciliation committee established by the government after the
apartheid in South Africa. This committee was led by Desmond Tutu, an inspirational bishop who
sought to seek truth and emotional relief to the victims. This committee started out hearing stories and
made it their mission to hear everyone who had a story to tell about their losses/horrible experiences.
This committee had the victims come face to face with the people who supported the apartheid. The
Bishop Tutu was emotional at hearing the stories and he providing comfort to the victims by expressing
his emotions on ocasssion. However, shortly after he did not want to show how emotional he was and
take anything away from the victims as it was about them not him. As a result of this committee, most
people felt a sense of closure by knowing answers and expressing their feelings. Most victims forgave
the people who hurt their families and found peace. Many believe this initiative would not have been as
successful with a different leader other then Desmond Tutu who has found forgiveness can be powerful.
Especially it can help people cope with the tragedies that they endured in their lives.

I think we will be able to use the values of the truth and reconciliation committee by giving others a
platform to express their feelings and stories. It seems a value in this video was letting others be able to
express themselves so that they can grow and move on to new chapters of their live and forgive the past.
It is important as a leader to set an environment of openness and communication to a team. Also
showing empathy to those stories. Another theme was forgiveness, as a leader ourselves we could talk to
others about our stories or hardship to appreciate the past and forgive those who have wronged us.
Forgiveness can be inspiring as it gives us the closure to move forward in our lives and be at peace.

3. What might Kouzes and Posner say about Ubuntu? Discuss connections with just ONE of their
Five Behaviors. (And you know that more than one of their practices or examples may apply.)
Find and quote one or two passages in the Kouzes and Posner book (and cite them) to link with
this concept.

My opinion of what Kouzes and Posner would definitely support Ubuntu, they state that everyone has a
story to tell and leadership is a relationship (Kouzes & Posner, 2017). I felt they Ubuntu is a relationship
with others and yourself, how you show compassion to the world and others. Of the five principles it
most personifies is challenges the process of how we act in society today. Everything in Ubuntu is
shared with a feeling of community and care.

Challenging the process by searching for the opportunities and looking outward for innovative ways to
improve is Ubuntu. Varty himself is passionate about this cultural way and it relaying through TED talks
this new way of how we treat each other, how we live together in a community and how much those
experiences can effect one’s life for the better. He is challenging us to see differently and how those
values can make change.

4. Recall something from your own experience (or from a book, a movie, etc.) that, according to
the philosophy of Ubuntu, could function as a “gift” or as “paying it forward” to others in the
service of social bonds or social responsibility---but PLEASE AVOID DESCRIBING THOSE
FAMOUS DRIVE-THRU (Drive-Through) EXPERIENCES. (We have heard about many of these
wonderful “pay it forward” experiences from baristas, but we are looking for other examples now.
Thank you!)///

my experience was when I was visiting a retail store with my now husband going to get supplies for our
wedding. I remember walking by to a family in their older car with them trying to turn over the car and
it not starting. We saw a lot of people walking by not really acknowledging the car. However, I went up
and asked them if they needed help. The man was relieved as he needed help with starting the car. I
asked my husband to go get our car so we could give them a jump. After we were able to assist the
family, the father was so appreciative because they had been there for a while with many people
ignoring or not willing to help them. He thanked us so much as he said they live far and would have
been a hassle for them to get it towed, plus it was a hot Arizona Day. My husband and I felt very
thankful that we were able to make a difference in someone’s day that did not necessarily ask us
personally for help. Seeing a person with a need, it was easy to put myself in that situation and jump into
action to help them. Much like the value of Ubuntu caring for other human’s well-being this to me was a
gift moment and paying it forward to help another person.

References
Kouzes, J., & Posner, B. (2017). The Leadership Challenge (6th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons.

Varty, B. (Director). (2013). What I Learned from Nelson Manela [Motion Picture]. Retrieved from
https://www.ted.com/talks/boyd_varty_what_i_learned_from_nelson_mandela