Recasting the ontological foundation of ubuntu: Addressing the problem of gender-based violence in South Africa

Abstract

This article addresses the persistent reality of gender-based violence in South Africa. It does this by approaching the issue of gender from the African philosophical position of ubuntu. The concept of ubuntu is one that is readily used by most African scholars to show that ubuntu is gender-neutral as it focuses on the idea of togetherness. While this article considers the ontological foundation of ubuntu a significant starting point, it seeks to show that more work has to be done in the area of African philosophy with regard to addressing the challenge of gender and its implication for gender- based violence. Hence, we argue that the conception of ubuntu in addressing the issue of gender needs to be reemphasised in ways that challenge the issue of gender and the validation of violence against women. While ubuntu promotes togetherness, community and justice, we argue that it falters in addressing the issues of gender and gender relations. Therefore, we seek to show the misconception of gender and gender roles in ubuntu, especially as it pertains to the dictum: “I am because we are and since we are, therefore, I am”. Within this framework, we argue that violence against women can be read as indicative of the ontological misconception of the women “I” in the “we”. From a gender perspective, we seek to engage the “I” in the “we” and the “we” that makes up the “I”. By doing this, we argue that there is an ontologically unrecognisable, violated and oppressed “I” in the “we” that needs emancipation. We propose a reformulation that entails an active engagement and emancipation of the oppressed “I” from the ontological inferiority that valorises violence against women.