The Ubuntu Way of Life
Ubuntu is an African word meaning ‘humanity to others’. It emphasizes a bond among all humanity beyond caste, creed and colour. It encompasses the social, political and cultural life of the individual. Nelson Mandela believed that we are all united by the common thread of humanity. He won over people with gestures such as the introduction of his jailers as guests at his inauguration ceremony. He was indeed a great statesman and humanist.
In India, the nuclear family is gradually replacing large joint families. As with every social organization, the joint family had its drawbacks, but at the same time, it provided a support system for the very young, the elderly and the sick. A child in a nuclear family, for instance, was left in the hands of a paid maid to take care of him while the parents went off to work, whereas in a joint family, the child would have had doting grandparents to teach him and give him abundant love. I once read a story where a group of kids had to run a race; the one who came first would win all the sweets. To the surprise of the organizers, the kids joined hands and happily ran to the finish line in order to equally share the sweets.
Subscribe to The Teenager Today print / digital editions to read the full article.
Monica Fernandes is a freelance writer from Mumbai for whom writing is a satisfying hobby. She writes for several magazines including The Teenager Today. She has authored a book for teenagers entitled Towards A Fuller Life published by Better Yourself Books.
