umphakathi wobuntu
Ubuntu (I am because we are) is the core of our community. We believe we are only human through other human beings. What unites us is our common "humanness". Because after all, we are all just beings that took the form of a human. We trust and care for all the beings that are or are not human. This trust and care come from the knowledge that we are parts of a greater whole. Therefore, if you are harmed, I am harmed. The concept of being “one” also comes forward in our care for a rhythm in the community: We seek to be synchronized; therefore, music and dance have an important place in our rituals.
Our communal effort is to fight the systems that make naturally altruistic human beings cheat and diverge from their human dignity. Through our various education and connection centers, we provide alternatives and help people truly see each other.
SCROLL TO GO RIGHT
WAY OF WORKING
Throughout initiatives, the greatest effort and space is given to finding what is best for the whole. This does not mean the best for the majority, but truly the alternative that we believe to be out there that would make every human being in the community the happiest.
Establishing the connection among all the human beings involved in the process and the reconciliations, therefore, takes up the most space, energy, and resources.
No execution begins until the connection is truly established. There is no rush and pre-set conditions in the process, as it often leads to disconnection, loss of synchrony, and divergence from human dignity.
In our community, each being is accountable towards their humanness. As our rituals ensure that the members of our community are connected, if someone is lost and diverging from their human dignity, this is felt and support is provided by the rest of the community. The priority in this process is understanding the factors that led to the divergence from human dignity. Since the harm that is done is the harm that is done to the greater whole the provided care and forgiveness is unconditional.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
The inherent connectedness of human beings goes beyond the limits of our community. Humanness, as an anchor connecting us all, is the element that is centered in our partnerships. We expect our partners to leave their roles behind while connecting. They should come to us not as managers, researchers, designers, or teachers but solely as human beings. We connect through personal stories; share our core memories, homes, and communities. The rituals we have often include looking eye to eye and touching hands without the need for words. To establish rhythm we use sound and movement. Instead of discussing business, we discuss our human intentions and motives.
PARTNERSHIPS
Here, success is the achievement of the best for the whole, not for the most. The connection and fulfillment that is felt among the community is the best measure. Other measures for success include providing individual space to members of the community to reflect on the initiative while looking at the mirror in silence.
Afterward, the feeling about the initiative that has emerged is expressed together by various forms of making sound.
The discussion regarding the success of the project often involves whether there was enough space for the exploration of what the whole needs, and if there was enough uthando (love) and forgiveness for mistakes.
IMPACT & SUCCESS
