Chairperson, ubuntu is a uniquely African concept. It implies a belief in the universal kind of sharing that connects all humanity. No black African needs to be told exactly what ubuntu means. It is the same word in isiZulu and isiXhosa but, for the benefit of those who might have heard the word and need a rough translation, it goes something like this, in English: humanity towards others, or I am because we are.
Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu. Ngiyimi ngenxa yenu. [A person is a person through other people. I am what I am because of you.]
Or a person becomes human through other persons. Another translation could be the belief in a universal kind of sharing that connects all humanity. Such a concept will be familiar to those of religious faith. Christians believe in loving your brother as yourself. The Islamic concept Sadaqatul or perpetual charity in helping others to the advantage of the collective over the interests of themselves is demonstrated by South African Muslims who have collected, many times, donations for victims of disasters around the world, and most other religions have similar beliefs.
It would appear that the simple meaning of ubuntu is merely humanity, but ubuntu actually has a much richer meaning than the English word. According to Wikipedia it means humanity, but that is all of humankind; humanity in the sense of human nature; humanity in the sense of being human and humane; humanity in the sense of education; humanity in the sense of civility and socialisation; and humanity in the sense of humanness, decency and human dignity.
Ingane yami ingane yakho, ingane yakho ingane yami ... [My child is your child, your child is my child ...]
... so the saying goes. My child is your child and your child is my child.
A few weeks ago this House debated the issue of maintenance and the problem raised regarding the nonpayment of maintenance orders. It is hard to believe that the Chief Whip of the ANC in this House has the cheek to put forward the subject of ubuntu for discussion and that this is followed by the words, and I quote: "... as it dictates our approaches and conduct towards others who may find themselves in difficult times". Hon Goniwe, how ironic that we should be debating ubuntu today, given the report in the Mail and Guardian this past Friday! Hon Goniwe needs to remember that it is all very well to talk about ubuntu but you need to live it too. I am sure you will sleep very peacefully tonight after you have lectured us all on the values of ubuntu. Do you ever think about children who are sleeping with empty tummies because they are not getting the maintenance to which they are entitled by law?
When people do not live up to their responsibilities, they make a complete mockery of their legal system and this institution, and the work it tries to do. What is the point of the Joint Monitoring Committee on the Improvement of Quality of Life and Status of Women going on oversight visits and berating magistrates, prosecutors and the SAPS for not doing their job as far as implementing the Maintenance Act, when there are people setting such an example?
Why should some men pay maintenance for their children when others don't? Ubuntu is a wonderful value system. The ANC Chief Whip should think long and hard about the difficult times his own children find themselves in because of his arrogant and uncaring attitude. [Applause.]