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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

UFS presents symposium on serious violent crime

2007-02-28

The Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS) is hosting a symposium on serious violent crime in South Africa on Wednesday, 7 March 2007.

“The symposium aims to provide stakeholders the opportunity to deliberate on and propose solutions to combat violent crime in South Africa,” said Prof Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the UFS.

According to Prof Henning perspectives on violent crimes from a psychological, business, constitutional and agricultural perspective will be given. “The themes to be discussed are amongst others the nature and extent of serious and violent crime in South Africa and the effect thereof, the reasons for violent crime and the role of the Constitution. Possible solutions will be put to the table to combat serious violent crime and there will also be an open session for input from the general public,” said Prof Henning.

Speakers who already confirmed to participate in the symposium include Dr Matthews Phosa (former politician and now businessman), Mr Roelf Meyer (former minister of constitutional affairs and chairperson of the Civil Community Initiative), Dr Leon Wessels (National Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission), Judge Nathan Erasmus (Inspecting Judge of Prison Services), Mr Kiewiet Ferreira (convener of law and order from AGRISA) and Commissioner André Pruis (Deputy Commissioner of Operational Services at the South African Police Services).

Appeal court judge Fritz Brand and Judge Faan Hancke, chairperson of the UFS Council, will be the chairpersons of the symposium.

The symposium will be presented from 08:00-13:30 in the CR Swart Auditorium on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein. Attendance is free of charge. Those who are interested can call Prof Elizabeth Snyman-Van Deventer (051 401 2268) or Adv Jaco de Bruin (051 401 2433) to book a seat.

Media release

Issued by: Lacea Loader

Media Representative

Tel: 051 401 2584

Cell: 083 645 2454

E-mail: loaderl@mail.uovs.ac.za

6 February 2007

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