Positioning the Natural environment in Ubuntu’s Axiom ‘Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu’: An Ecospiritual Social Work Perspective

Abstract

Over the past decades, there is an increasing interest in the meaning of ‘umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu’ or ‘a person is a person through other persons.’ Utilising an Ubuntu-inspired Ecospiritual Social Work perspective, this chapter aims to critically reflect on the meaning of ‘umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu.’ As an ecophilosphy, Ubuntu is holistic and illustrates the interconnections between human beings and the natural environment. In exploring the significance of the natural environment through Ubuntu philosophy, issues of radical equalitarian ecological justice, sustainable development, climate change and public health are explored. The chapter underscores that ‘umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu’ is philosophically inclusive of the environment as part of the ‘others’ and as part of ‘umuntu.’