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Why do we not speak of ubuntu for warriors?

17 May 2021 | Story Eugene Seegers | Photo Anja Aucamp

Prof Chasi_web read more — Prof Colin Chasi’s latest book, Ubuntu for Warriors, looks at lost and forgotten warrior traditions in Africa and how ubuntu relates to these.

It is not common for scholars to challenge foundational ideas of their epoch. But this is the case with the recently published book, Ubuntu for Warriors, from Africa World Press, which extends the boundaries of current thinking on the African moral philosophy of ‘ubuntu’. The author of this ground-breaking book is Prof Colin Chasi, Director of the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Drawing on various biographical sources and interweaving these with conceptual arguments, Prof Chasi introduces the view that ubuntu is for warriors too. Interestingly, the book does not seek to ‘knock out’ existing African moral theories that focus on harmony, peace, and reconciliation. Rather, it recalls the lost and forgotten warrior traditions through which Africans have sought to advance just war and peace. To this end, the names of venerated Africans such as King Shaka, President Nelson Mandela, President Kenneth Kaunda, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and Steve Bantu Biko are prominent.

The book’s reappraisal of the contributions to the warrior tradition of these Africans makes for engaging conversations about war, violence, warriors — and about the ubuntu of all of these. For Prof Nyasha Mboti, author of a forthcoming book introducing the need to study apartheid systematically, the main contribution of Prof Chasi’s book “is to rescue ubuntu from the one-dimensional philosophical straitjacket long imposed on it in normative readings”.

Prof Chasi's riveting book not only overturns commonly held epistemological premises of the philosophy of ubuntu. In view of this, Dr Winston Mano, Director of the Africa Media Centre at the University of Westminster, says it “goes further to uncover and position ubuntu as a resource for counterhegemonic struggles. It is a must-read not only for all those interested in taking African philosophy but also and especially for all those warriors involved in moving African epistemologies to the centre.”

News Archive

Forensic investigation at UFS Computer Services division in final stage of finalisation

2007-02-01

Statement by prof Niel Viljoen, Chief Director: Operations

The case in which possible irregularities were investigated at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Computer Services Division at the end of 2005, and which led to two Deputy Directors’ compulsory leave pending an investigation, is making good progress and is in the final stage of finalisation.

One of the Deputy Directors resigned unconditionally a day before his disciplinary hearing was to take place. He is one of two staff members who were placed on compulsory leave after an internal investigation ordered by the UFS management indicated possible irregularities in the division.

“As a result of the extent of the case and the involvement of more than one local business, the investigation had a long course,” said Prof Viljoen.

“The Deputy Director who resigned would have appeared before a disciplinary committee with Judge Joos Hefer as chairperson on charges of misconduct, involving more than R500 000,” said Prof Viljoen.

“We are going ahead with the process of criminal prosecution against this person and a docket was opened at the commerce branch of the South African Police Services (SAPS). A civil action to recover damages from him was started,” Prof Viljoen said.

With a couple of exceptions, the internal disciplinary process of the other persons involved in the case is also finalised. “The disciplinary hearing of the Deputy Director, who is still in the service of the UFS’s Computer Services division, is scheduled for May 2007. This person is still on compulsory leave,” Prof Viljoen said.

“To demonstrate our commitment to the enhancement of honest work ethics and to give to personnel and students a mechanism to bring any unethical business practices to the attention of the UFS management, a fraud hotline was installed last year. The hotline is operated 24 hours a day for 365 days of the year by KPMG,” Prof Viljoen said.

Prof Viljoen thanked everyone who was involved in the investigation for their cooperation. This includes staff as well as people from outside the UFS. “We are committed to transparent corporate management. Any possible irregularities will be investigated and if staff or students are found guilty of any irregular behaviour, strict actions would be taken against these persons,” Prof Viljoen said.

Media release

Issued by: Lacea Loader

Media Representative

Tel: (051) 401-2584

Cell: 083 645 2454

E-mail: loaderl@mail.ufs.ac.za
2 February 2007

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