Ubuntu (Human Dignity)

• The postscript of the Interim Constitution (1993) stated that in South Africa there was ‘a need for understanding but not for vengeance (Links to an external site.), a need for reparation but not for retaliation, a need for ubuntu but not for victimisation’. In the Constitution of 1996, the notion of ubuntu is encapsulated in the value of ‘human dignity’ in Section 10.

• Out of the values of ubuntu and human dignity flow the practices of compassion, kindness, altruism  (Links to an external site.)and respect, which are at the very core of making schools places where the culture of learning can thrive: dynamic hubs of industry and achievement rather than places of conflict  (Links to an external site.)and pain. Ubuntu requires you to respect others if you are to respect yourself (Department of Education 2001:15).

Out of ubuntu and human dignity flow compassion, kindness, altruism and respect.

• By exposing learners to cooperative learning (Links to an external site.) in class where small, inclusive groups are formed in a heterogeneous manner, including different race, gender and abilities groupings, they will learn compassion and respect for themselves and others, especially if they are treated with respect and dignity  (Links to an external site.)by the educator (Kitshoff, 2006:21).

• Module: Discipline

• Module: Key Concepts

• Module: Values Entrenched in the Constitution 

• Introduction: Values entrenched in the Constitution
• Democracy
• Social Justice
• Equality
• Non-Racism and Non-Sexism
• An Open Society