HERITAGE DAY
UMUNTU NGUMUNTU NGABANTU By Claudene Sebolai
“I am, because you are” As Africans our heritage is deeply rooted in the African philosophy of Ubuntu. The title of this article is a Zulu phrase which means a person is a person through other people. One of the main proponents of Ubuntu is Archbishop Desmond Tutu who describes a person with Ubuntu as someone who is “open and available to others, affirming of others ... has a proper self-assurance.” This idea of Ubuntu reminds me of our Christian heritage which is rooted and grounded in love. When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, His response was;
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“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” These two are totally inseparable. Someone cannot say “I love God” but dislike one’s neighbour nor have anything to do with one’s neighbour. Since God is love, and so we will love as Christ loves us. Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 13. Love does not lend itself to rivalry but to peace, not to pride but to
humility. Love binds where there has been division, heals where there has been hate, and believes the best of others instead of the worst. Love enables the ministry of others rather than selfish interests. Without love there can be no unity. Love does not harm others by its inappropriate actions. Love does not satisfy its own needs while ignoring that of others. Love does not easily take offence. As we prepare our outfits and meat for heritage day celebrations, let us also reflect on our words and actions. Let us strive always to love our neighbour as ourselves. Happy Heritage Day! Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu!
