Transforming communities through Ubuntu philosophy: prerequisites, opportunities, and implications for social work practice in Africa
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Date
2023-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The International Federation of Social Workers
Abstract
The African philosophy of Ubuntu has emerged as a counterweight strategy
to the pervasive consequences of long-term individualism entrenched in African social work because of its western origins. This chapter contends that
African social workers can utilise Ubuntu philosophy in transforming poor
communities and building resilient societies. This requires understanding
the principles of Ubuntu and its embeddedness in African cultures as
necessary prerequisites for this transformation. Its emphasis on collectivism
as social capital, interconnectedness, and equality of human beings can be
used to transform poor communities, thereby creating enormous
opportunities for social work practitioners in Africa to enrich the lives of their
clients. By implication, African social work practice is asked to promote
bottom-up community-led interventions built on local voices/experiences.
Keywords: Ubuntu philosophy, social work theory, community transformation,
resilient communities, indigenous social work, decolonial social work, Africa
Description
Keywords
African philosophy, Ubuntu, Communities, Social Work Practice, Africa
Citation
Bhangyi, V. B., Tweshengyereze, S., Atim, H., & Balyejjusa, S. M. (2023). Transforming Communities Through Ubuntu Philosophy: Prerequisites, Opportunities, and Implications for Social Work Practice in Africa. The Ubuntu Practitioner: Social Work Perspectives, 115.