(October 7, 1931 – December 26, 2021)
In my culture and tradition, the highest praise that can be given to someone is, 'Yu, u nobuntu,' an acknowledgment that he or she has this wonderful quality; unbuntu.
These words begin a small collection of observations from the recently deceased Anglican Archbishop of Capetown, South Africa, Desmond Tutu (d. 26 December 2021). Archbishop Tutu became internationally known for his work to end Apartheid in South Africa and advocate on behalf of people experiencing various forms of injustice all over the world. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work. Archbishop Tutu describes what he means by unbuntu:
The definition of this concept has two parts. The first is that the person is friendly, hospitable, generous, gentle, caring, and compassionate. In other words, someone who will use his or her strengths on behalf of others – the weak and the poor and the ill – and not take advantage of anyone. This person can treat others as he or she would be treated. And because of this, they express the second part of the concept, which concerns openness, large-heartedness. They share their worth. In doing so my humanity is recognized and becomes inextricably bound to theirs.[1]
The archbishop beautifully Christianizes this already beautiful African idea, that we are because of and with others: me/we. In this idea of me/we he saw God with us in Jesus Christ. He saw the me/we of us with each other, modeled by the me/we of God with us in Christ. And he heard a beautiful chorus of complex harmony and shared rhythm when love, forgiveness, compassion, care, truth, and right dealing reign.
One thing that seemed to be true of Desmond Tutu's ministry and message, which some of his admirers never quite understood, was that while unbuntu has profound political implications, for the archbishop it was never just an agenda for reform or a political platform. It was always a gospel message. It was good news. It was God's news.
It was for this reason that Desmond Tutu could give a strong message with both a glint in his eye and a taste of joy in his voice. And it was for this reason that he could say that change for good is always a miracle, even when it takes hard work, intelligence, sacrifice, and some savvy to get done.
It's also, for this reason, I think, that he so strongly believed that the way forward for his land, and for all peoples throughout the world, is along a path that brings justice and forgiveness, judgment and mercy, truth and reconciliation together. It will ever be.
May we remember what he taught and let it change us. Yu, u nobuntu, Desmond.
[1] Desmond Tutu, Believe: The Words and Inspiration of Desmond Tutu (Boulder, Blue Mountain Press, 2007), p. 3
