Ubuntu and the Covenant: A Story of Becoming | #MyFridayStory №359
It was Archbishop Desmond Tutu who first introduced me to the term “Ubuntu.” The South African Interim Constitution and the statute that established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) states:
“There is a need for understanding, but not for vengeance, a need for reparation, but not for retaliation, a need for Ubuntu, but not for victimisation.”
The site UbuntuWorks.org shares how the Arch defined Ubuntu:
“There is no direct translation in Western terms. Ubuntu means I am human through my relations with others. You are a person through other persons. It speaks of social or communal harmony as a human person is seen as corporate. The solitary individual person is in our understanding a contradiction in terms. Ubuntu says I am human only because you are human. If I undermine your humanity, I dehumanise myself. Ubuntu speaks of warmth, compassion, generosity, hospitality, and seeking to embrace others. You must do what you can to maintain this great harmony, which is perpetually being undermined by resentment, anger, or a desire for vengeance.”
The concept of Ubuntu — “I am because we are” — is unparalleled anywhere else in the world. It is uniquely ours here in Mzansi, a mantra to guide us.
On December 16, 1838, the Afrikaner Voortrekkers faced the Zulu Kingdom, led by King Dingane, in what they perceived as a battle for survival. The Zulu army reportedly numbered over 10,000 warriors, while the Voortrekkers had only 464 men, a handful of servants, and limited artillery. In their desperation, the Voortrekkers made a vow to God, promising that if He delivered them from their enemies, they would dedicate the day to Him as a Sabbath and build a church in His honour.
The Voortrekkers claimed a decisive victory at what became known as the Battle of Blood River. They killed over 3,000 Zulu warriors while suffering minimal casualties. The river was said to have run red with blood, hence its name. After the battle, December 16 was declared a sacred day of thanksgiving, known as the Day of the Covenant. This narrative entrenched the belief that Afrikaners were God’s chosen people, divinely favoured.
The fear of God was deeply ingrained in the Afrikaner nation through their Calvinist heritage. The concept of being “chosen by God” was heavily promoted by the Dutch Reformed Church, with Die Volk (the Afrikaner people) as the custodians of this narrative. By intertwining religion and the myth of racial superiority, Afrikaner forefathers solidified a framework that justified segregation and established their identity.
This supremacist ideology remains a barrier to South Africa’s dream of the Rainbow Nation.
It feels necessary to critique these historical flaws while also acknowledging the good within the Afrikaner nation. My parents, products of this legacy, grew up in Pofadder, a small, dusty town in the Northern Cape’s Bushmanland region. Farming in such an arid, desert-like climate was challenging. Sheep and goats thrived where crops could not, and survival depended on neighbourly generosity and a strong sense of community. This camaraderie fostered the resilience Afrikaners are known for. The phrase, “‘n Boer maak ‘n plan!” epitomises their resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles.
Religion also played a pivotal role in Afrikaner life. While the concept of white supremacy is a shameful stain on their history, the deep love Afrikaners have for God, the Bible, and the land reflects their values. Family and church remain central pillars, arguably values worth striving for.
Despite their stoicism, Afrikaners are not without warmth. Their love for music, laughter, sports, and social gatherings often surprises those who see only their tough exterior. Time spent with family and friends is sacred. Their connection to the land, cultivated through generations of farming, runs deep, forming a source of pride.
Today, as a minority making up less than 8% of South Africa’s population, white South Africans must embrace Ubuntu as a call to action. The forgiveness extended by people of colour — despite the injustices of the past — is a testament to Ubuntu. This is a profound act of humanity that whites must honour by working to end inequality and foster reconciliation.
By recognising our shared history — including the suffering caused by colonisation and the interconnectedness of all South Africans — we can dismantle myths of superiority. Ubuntu, as a philosophy of mutual care and respect, offers a powerful path forward.
Have a wonderful Day of Reconciliation on Monday, December 16, and remember to be generous! 😄
As always, thanks for reading. 🙏
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