RESPECT AS A PILLAR OF AFRICAN UBUNTU PHILOSOPHY

Résumé

Ubuntu, a South African term implying humanity and interconnectedness, represents a profound philosophy that champions collective responsibility, community engagement and respect among individuals. At its core, Ubuntu encapsulates the African ethos of recognizing inherent human dignity and fostering an environment of mutual support. Grounded in the principle of umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu (“a person is a person through other persons”), Ubuntu underscores the relational nature of humanity and positions respect as a moral imperative that sustains communal life. Respect serves as a cornerstone of African Ubuntu philosophy, encapsulating the essence of human interconnectedness and mutual recognition. This paper critically examines respect as a foundational pillar of Ubuntu, exploring its ontological, ethical and cultural dimensions within African societies. It delves into how respect manifests in traditional African practices such as greeting rituals, deference to elders, conflict resolution and communal governance, illustrating its role in fostering harmony, solidarity and social cohesion. Drawing on the works of prominent African philosophers such as Kwasi Wiredu, John Mbiti and Desmond Tutu, this study situates respect within the broader framework o