Written by: Lwazi Aphane
Black people I believe have the most applaudable and admirable traits of human nature. These positive traits are underpinned and built on the foundation of Ubuntu. We see each other not merely as human beings who occupy common space and share pigment, but as interconnected beings who share an energy which requires us to constantly acknowledge each other’s presence and care for each other regardless of the variance in relation. Whenever you walk and meet the eye of a fellow black person the natural instinct is to greet & acknowledge that person, with no regard to whether you know that individual on a personal level or not. This is behaviour which has been deeply instilled in us by our parents, elders and community.
The closeness and intimacy which we share with each other’s sub-consciousness is remarkable and unmatched by any other culture within our beautiful landscape, this should be lauded, recognized and continue to be practiced by all of us, particularly the youth. Our elders have engendered upon us a manner of interacting with each other that we should be forever thankful for. We affirm our humanity when we acknowledge that of others, it is in affirming our humanity that we discover our own human qualities.
Our Black theology continues to give sense and meaning to our existence, I applaud those amongst us who continue to practice it in the spiritual and religious spheres of their lives. We’re blessed to be a people who are able to reconcile the physical world to the spiritual world without much clash and conflict in our minds, to our people the spiritual world is intertwined with the physical. The belief in the immortality of our ancestors continues to be a tremendous source of strength for our people, the high esteem and adoration we have for our ancestors has helped us establish our own moral code which encourages us to conduct ourselves in ways that will result in us being worthy of veneration once we too pass to the other world.
Although frequently undermined, our traditional medicine is still widely used by our people; it consistently provides cures and alleviates certain conditions which cannot be resolved by western medicine. Although we are indeed living in a modern society where we generally refer to western medicine for our sicknesses and mental distresses, we should always acknowledge that our traditional medicines provide relief to millions of our people; we should never disregard nor undermine the contributions that these medicines make towards the well-being of countless lives.
Frequently in Black communities you find instances where families take on the responsibility of raising a child who is perhaps an extended relative or belongs to friends who have passed away, or the child is simply adopted because he/she belongs to neglecting and abusive parents. Formal adoption processes are rarely followed when this occurs; the child immediately becomes an integrated part of the new family and usually receives the same level of love, affection, attention and devotion as the biological children of the new parents. This custom displays a distinguished and extraordinary attribute of our people with regard to how we see our fellow Black man. Our people’s ability to sacrifice and share our energy and resources to such extents without complaint or clamor is indeed praiseworthy.
Our people comprise a multitude of interesting and diverse cultures, each having their own philosophies and practices. Although these cultures are widely dissimilar in many ways, the common denominator in all of them is the application of Ubuntu. The spirit of Ubuntu resonates through the hearts and minds of our people, it provides the food which feeds and sustains our African souls daily. Our cultures are all abundant in compassion, warmth, generosity and hospitality; I’m continually overwhelmed with a strong sense of pride when I reflect on the richness, expanse and depth of our people’s cultural qualities and history.
Not only have us Black South Africans exhibited to the world such qualities and traits, we’ve produced individuals who have made a remarkable and meaningful contribution to humanity at large, individuals who have demonstrated that nothing can overcome the power of will, individuals who have demonstrated that the basic ethics and ethos of civilization must be upheld at all costs.
Our African soil has cultivated living legends such as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Mama Winnie. Martyrs such as Steve Biko, Robert Sobukwe, Steve Hani and Abram Tiro will forever be remembered and cherished by our people, their contribution to the liberation of the Black mind is invaluable and immeasurable, their blood has watered the tree of liberation, the fruits of which we enjoy today. These figures are revered the world over, they’re the world’s blueprint for what humanity and a sensible civilization should be composed of, and I sincerely hope that us youth can use their knowledge and wisdom as a compass to where we should steer our beloved country.
Despite the countless trials, struggles and pains we’ve experienced as a people throughout the ages, despite becoming victims of European ambition and greed, we’ve maintained and never deviated from what we’re built upon. Despite the legacy of our customs and cultural practices being interrupted and jeopardized we’ve succeeded in retaining them, we’ve grasped on tightly to the values and principles which continue to strengthen us through the trying times we face in even today.
Throughout our history we’ve had to face countless, immense challenges and confrontations with people who sought to obliterate our independence, cultures and freedom in their own pursuit of world domination and capitalist gain. Despite our people being confronted with the evil and grossly inhumane systems of slavery and Apartheid, we persevered, we endured, we confronted and we triumphed.
I belong to a people who simply refused to become perpetual instruments of cheap labour, a people who toiled and spilt blood in the pursuit of attaining and realizing the most basic and fundamental right that all human beings are entitled to, regardless of race and creed, that being FREEDOM. I belong to a people who display incredible resilience, a people who relentlessly believe in fighting for justice and equality, and if necessary giving up their lives for what is right.
Our people’s exceptional sense of resolve and will has resulted in us not only defeating these atrocious crimes against humanity, but also emerging to the rest of the world as an admirable and shining example of what results from the spirit of a people who exercise their strong sense of forgiveness, grace and reconciliation. We recognize that the value of life is diminished and ultimately meaningless when humans are oppressed, dehumanised and treated as sub servient, and it is this recognition which has fuelled our plight to emancipate ourselves from once seemingly insurmountable challenges which sought to limit our ability to express ourselves culturally, religiously, socially and philosophically in a free world.
Steve Biko once said “In time, we shall be in a position to bestow on South Africa the greatest possible gift – a more human face.” I believe we’ve partially achieved what Steve Biko wished for and in time I believe we shall indeed fully realise his objectives and aspirations. Our incredible human character will ensure that we’ll never be broken, that we’ll never be subjected to injustice again, that we’ll be destined for success and that our spirit shall not perish. Despite the new challenges we face such as the scourge of HIV/AIDS, poverty alleviation and the psychological damage done to our people by the sad legacy of the past we shall continue to rise. I’m proud to belong to such a distinguished people; we shall continue to soar with the eagles.