Ubuntu &
cooperation towards development in Africa
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| Patson Malisa |
Patson Malisa is a Diplomacy Advocate, Thought Leader,
Executive and Facilitator. He has
served in national and continental youth platforms since the age of 18,
advocating the convening of government and civil society to the dialogue forum
for the advancing of policy for the Upliftment of youth. He serves as Acting
Secretary & Head of Strategic Planning and Partnerships for the
Infrastructure and Energy Cluster at the Economic, Social and Cultural Council
(ECOSOCC) of the African Union. He is also President of the Organization of
African Youth, and South Africa's Country Coordinator for the Network of
African Youth for Development. You can tweet him @patsonmalisa
Q1. What inspires your work?
I’m mostly inspired
by the rich history which we have inherited as Africans. We have inherited a
great treasure as well as a great struggle. We have come a long way in terms of
attaining independence and political sovereignty. We now have the challenge of empowering
our people with the economic capacity to achieve their full capacity. This is a
purpose which I hold in the highest of regard and honour. My motivation is
drawn from the understanding of the role I must play for my generation in
achieving this next phase of African upliftment.
Q2. What does the term Ubuntu mean?
Ubuntu simply
translated means, “I am because you are.” This is a principle which has its
origin amongst the native African tribes of South Africa. It is accompanied by
the philosophy which states, “Umunthu ngumunthu ngabanthu.” This is translated
to say, A person is a person because of the people. It is therefore the
acknowledgement that the quality of our humanity is measured by the state of
life being lived by the people around us.
Q3. Are there instances of Ubuntu that you can point to
in your local community?
I believe that
Ubuntu is best displayed when people strive to live for something bigger than
themselves. In my community, this is manifested through the work of NGOs and
CBOs who are advocating for the improvement of service delivery, advocating for
the strengthening of crime prevention as well as the protection of women and
children. Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples which teach believers to
live in service in humanity also promote the principle of Ubuntu. Families that
raise their children to achieve something greater than themselves is also a
great example of Ubuntu at work.
Q4. To what extent do Africans embrace and live
according to Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is an ideal
which is embraced in the fabric of African culture. At grassroots level, it is
manifested in our daily lives at different levels. However, as the levels of
bureaucracy rise, Ubuntu seems to be given less breathing space. International
Relations is governed mostly on the principle of national interest. Therefore,
because of varied trading and other relationships that are held by many of our
African countries with other regions, unity for a common African position is
often limited to declarations (which have internal contentions of their own)
and rarely escalates to implementation. Our generation has the task of settling
this issue effectively.
Q5. Our differences as Africans are many; how can we
use this for the good of the continent?
We have to accept
each other’s differences as complimentary factors to our collective
development. No one community has all it needs to survive. Therefore, it is
important to embrace a principle of unity in diversity and allow each good
element of our rich society to manifest itself and yield profit for all. Best
practices at social, political and economic levels will be edified through this
enriching exercise.
Q6. What’s the role of the AU in promoting cooperation
and development in Africa?
The African Union
is the bridge upon which African States can reach a place of common position of
inter-regional and global cooperation. This helps to consolidate national
interest into a collective interest for the strengthening of our efforts to
improve our continent. This also eases the complexity of negotiating in
international platforms where global decisions with regards to the direction of
the world will be taken. The AU also stands as a champion for the attainment of
resources which facilitate domestic trade as well as enhancing our export
markets to the globe under enriching terms for the Continent.
Q7. Is relaxing visa regulations, like Ghana just did,
the answer to continental cooperation?
It is definitely
the start of a great initiative to enhance inter-regional trade. It is a shame
that in many African countries, it is easier for a person from another
continent to travel to them than it is for neighbouring countries. This is a
serious barrier to domestic trade and thus Ghana’s initiative is a decisive
display of commitment to the values enshrined in the AU Agenda 2063
Declaration.
Q8. ”President for life” is a big issue in Africa, how can
we redress this?
The promotion of
democratic values which are universally agreed upon will be the best place to
begin our address of this issue. Democracy is practiced under different time
limits across the world. Therefore we need to establish an African position on
our definition of just democratic process. While we have an AU Charter which
urges the practice of democracy and condemns military coups and violation of
election processes, there is no an agreed term limit or year cap on the term.
This will need to be addressed carefully with consideration for the nature of
our status of development.
Another issue which
keeps heads of states in power for long is the fear of what awaits after
leaving the protection of presidency. Africa has a history of persecution of
former presidents by their successors as a political statement by the incumbent
to appease their constituencies. Therefore a transitional package might have to
be considered which prevents unjust persecutions in this regard. A good pension
package would also be a good incentive.
Q9. In what practical ways can the youths be agents of
Ubuntu in their local community?
The Youth are best
positioned as champions for the development and exhortation of their
communities. Getting involved in voluntary service which addresses local
challenges to quality of life is a great starting place for advancing the
principle of Ubuntu. Being involved in the political process of their
communities in the form of elections and consultative forums with leaders is a
responsibility of every citizen, and thus the responsible engagement of youth
in this regard will definitely benefit local communities and ultimately the
nations that house them.
Q1O. Last words to the young people out there:
We are on a
marathon. The journey which we have embarked upon is not only for ourselves,
but for the generations that will follow. Let us therefore run our race with
patience as well as with hope that the ideals of a prosperous and poverty-free
Africa are possible. If it’s going to be, it is up to us.
