South Africa's Ubuntu

"Ubuntu--togetherness/I am because you are" .... This is a Xhosa (pronounced kosa) term that is the goal of many South Africans. Xhosa is one of the main indigenous tribes who live in the region we visited. 

Ubuntu is a rallying cry for this beautiful nation that has been so riddled for the past 400 years with enslavement, prejudice, genocide, corruption, rampant crime and separateness (what we call apartheid). Yes, Nelson Mandela led the way after 37 years in prison for being black. He led the way for apartheid (separateness) to be outlawed. And many hearts have changed, but the heart of South Africa is still  searching for that togetherness, that sense of unity and filial love.

In 2009, one of my closest friends, Jeanne Zehr, and I went to South Africa.  Jeanne has her Ph.D. in Education and travels all over the world teaching a curriculum to teachers called "Instrumental Enrichment."

She asked me to go with her to South Africa to assist while she spent a week training a group of teachers in the province of Knysna (travel expenses paid).  

One of the wonderful meals we enjoyed was this combination of dips, chicken, a steakhouse marinade, and wonderful fresh vegetables.

South Africa touches one's heart and soul.  Ubuntu, that togetherness and unity, hopefully, is not too far away.