{"id":37533,"date":"2020-05-19T14:01:26","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T18:01:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=37533"},"modified":"2020-05-19T14:01:26","modified_gmt":"2020-05-19T18:01:26","slug":"review-of-everyday-ubuntu-by-mungi-ngomane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=37533","title":{"rendered":"Review of Everyday Ubuntu, by Mungi Ngomane"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Everyday Ubuntu<\/p>\n

Living Better Together, the African Way<\/em><\/p>\n

by Mungi Ngomane
\nforeword by Archbishop Desmond Tutu<\/p>\n

Harper Design, 2020. 240 pages.
\nReview written April 13, 2020, from a library book
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

This book is written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu\u2019s granddaughter, and it\u2019s full of wisdom learned and demonstrated in South Africa as they worked toward healing their country after Apartheid.<\/p>\n

Here is how Desmond Tutu explains ubuntu<\/em> in his Foreword:<\/p>\n

Ubuntu<\/em> is a concept that, in my community, is one of the most fundamental aspects of living lives of courage, compassion and connection. It is one that I cannot remember not knowing about. I understood from early on in my life that being known as a person with ubuntu<\/em> was one of the highest accolades one could ever receive. Almost daily we were encouraged to show it in our relations with family, friends and strangers alike. I have often said that the idea and practice of ubuntu<\/em> is one of Africa\u2019s greatest gifts to the world. A gift with which, unfortunately, not many in the world are familiar. The lesson of ubuntu<\/em> is best described in a proverb that is found in almost every African language, whose translation is, \u201cA person is a person through other persons.\u201d The fundamental meaning of the proverb is that everything we learn and experience in the world is through our relationships with other people. We are therefore called to examine our actions and thoughts, not just for what they will achieve for us, but for how they impact on others with whom we are in contact.<\/p>\n

At its most simple, the teaching of this proverb and of ubuntu<\/em> is similar to the Golden Rule found in most faith teachings: \u201cDo unto others as you would have them do unto you!\u201d But one who has ubuntu<\/em> goes a step beyond that. It is not only our actions we are called to keep track of, but our very being in the world. How we live, talk and walk in the world is as much a statement of our character as our actions. One with ubuntu<\/em> is careful to walk in the world as one who recognizes the infinite worth of everyone with whom he or she comes into contact. So it is not simply a way of behaving, it is indeed a way of being!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The format of the book is simple. After an Introduction, there are fourteen Lessons involving ways you can embody ubuntu.<\/em> These lessons include stories that illustrate the idea and exercises at the end of the chapter. Each lesson has a different title spread in a bright color with African patterns as the background \u2013 it\u2019s an attractive book as well as a meaningful one.<\/p>\n

Here are the titles of the fourteen lessons explored in this book:<\/p>\n

1.\tSee Yourself in Other People
\n2.\tStrength Lies in Unity
\n3.\tPut Yourself in the Shoes of Others
\n4.\tChoose to See the Wider Perspective
\n5.\tHave Dignity and Respect for Yourself and Others
\n6.\tBelieve in the Good of Everyone
\n7.\tChoose Hope Over Optimism
\n8.\tSeek Out Ways to Connect
\n9.\tThe Power of the F-Word \u2013 Forgiveness
\n10.\tEmbrace Our Destiny
\n11.\tAcknowledge Reality (However Painful)
\n12.\tFind the Humor in Our Humanity
\n13.\tWhy Little Things Make a Big Difference
\n14.\tLearn to Listen So That You Can Hear<\/p>\n

You can see that mastering these lessons would indeed make you a better person as you live among other people. The true stories from South Africa\u2019s healing help make these lofty ideals seem possible.<\/p>\n

It all adds up to an inspiring and uplifting book. In this time of crisis, it\u2019s all the easier to see that we need to cultivate ubuntu<\/em> to come together past the difficulties.<\/p>\n

hc.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Nonfiction\/everyday_ubuntu.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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