Capitalism and the death of Ubuntu

The concept of Ubuntu can be described as “humanity to others” or “I am what I am because of who we all are”. Fundamentally, it is based on the principles of unity and selflessness. But under a capitalist system, the profit motive nullifies the principles of Ubuntu.

The capitalist system compensates people based on the work that they are able to do, and does not accord all the work to the same value (i.e. the ability to direct the production of thousands of motor vehicles is seen as more important than the ability to keep a drain clean).

The study of economics also teaches us that under a capitalist market, increasing consumer spending is economically desirable and hence leads to economic growth.  This leads us to believe that success is attained by material wealth.

This belief is apparent in recent generations; a recent survey conducted by a US university on a quarter of a million new college students found that their main reason for attending college was to gain material wealth. Therefore, it is evident that on our quest to attaining material wealth, we become subject to greed.

Unlike Ubuntu, which is based on the principle of unity and equality for all, capitalism promotes the direct opposite. It instills a materialistic definition of success and for this reason, our generation has dedicated their lives to the attainment of money.

Clearly, capitalism continues to eat our spirit of Ubuntu. Our relationships have turned into nothing more than economic transactions: we are taught to find our worth in what we acquire; we are never whole; always yearning for materials to fill the void where humanity should be. Crapitalism turns We into Me.

When i think of the youth of 76 and how they united not only for themselves, but for black people across the country, i cannot help but feel a deep sense of sadness and betrayal for what they stood and fought for; I cannot help but ask: at what price did we get democracy? Yes, they fought for change and equality, and many would argue that we have it; but what did democracy of 1994 really change?

Clearly, the lessons of the sacrifice paid by the youth of ’74 mean very little to this present generation. Lost also are the sacrifices of all the heroes past, who paid the ultimate price for the struggle. Lost are the lessons of servitude; of selflessness; of long-suffering; and of securing the future of generations unborn.

With the gradual death of ubuntu, it has become scary and frightening to even contemplate what our collective future holds in store. The more you look, the more you see a future of dog-eat-dog; of gross greed; of unrestrained materialism; of insatiable lust for money – and more money and yet more money.

A future measured by how much you have acquired. A future where the personal motto is: I Before Others. A future where relationships are devoid of conscience and rather, depend on: What Can You For Me?

Frightening indeed.