Claire Armstrong
AFL1501
TA: Dr GB Myeni
Assignment 05 – 2 July 2021
The essence of being an African
What does it mean to be an African? Different people may answer this question in
different ways. To me, being an African means portraying a certain set of ideals and
morals such as caring for others, a sense of understanding, giving back to the
community and so on. When you say that you are an African, it doesn’t mean you
have to tick certain boxes according to race, language, sexuality or culture, as
though you were applying to be an African. Being an African is in your blood, it is the
very root of your voice when you begin to sing, “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika”, (C.J.
Langenhoven, 1997) with your fist clenched on your chest filled with pride. Being an
African means breaking down every stereotype created by non-Africans such as the
famous “But you are white/colored/Indian, how can you be an African?”. The term,
‘Ubuntu’, is a term that is implanted in the very being of every child born as an
African. Ubuntu is part of the essence of being African and without practicing Ubuntu
you cannot call yourself African, because then you have abandoned the very roots of
where you come from. Being an African without practicing Ubuntu is like being a
kettle without boiling the water.
In my twenty years of living on this planet, I have experienced Ubuntu a few times in
my life. When I was about nine years old my parents went through a rough patch
financially and some days were worse than others. Food was scares and bread was
the most affordable food product at the time. My grandparents realized that things
were bad and they helped us out. My maternal grandparents would cook food for us
and made sure my sister and I had everything we needed for school, as this was in
the winter season in Bloemfontein. They showed great generosity and care towards
us. Luckily my father received a job offer with a better salary and we were able to
stand on our own feet again. At our local Checkers there is a man in his late fifties
working as a car watch. He is always nice and never complains about life. He has a
AFL1501
TA: Dr GB Myeni
Assignment 05 – 2 July 2021
The essence of being an African
What does it mean to be an African? Different people may answer this question in
different ways. To me, being an African means portraying a certain set of ideals and
morals such as caring for others, a sense of understanding, giving back to the
community and so on. When you say that you are an African, it doesn’t mean you
have to tick certain boxes according to race, language, sexuality or culture, as
though you were applying to be an African. Being an African is in your blood, it is the
very root of your voice when you begin to sing, “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika”, (C.J.
Langenhoven, 1997) with your fist clenched on your chest filled with pride. Being an
African means breaking down every stereotype created by non-Africans such as the
famous “But you are white/colored/Indian, how can you be an African?”. The term,
‘Ubuntu’, is a term that is implanted in the very being of every child born as an
African. Ubuntu is part of the essence of being African and without practicing Ubuntu
you cannot call yourself African, because then you have abandoned the very roots of
where you come from. Being an African without practicing Ubuntu is like being a
kettle without boiling the water.
In my twenty years of living on this planet, I have experienced Ubuntu a few times in
my life. When I was about nine years old my parents went through a rough patch
financially and some days were worse than others. Food was scares and bread was
the most affordable food product at the time. My grandparents realized that things
were bad and they helped us out. My maternal grandparents would cook food for us
and made sure my sister and I had everything we needed for school, as this was in
the winter season in Bloemfontein. They showed great generosity and care towards
us. Luckily my father received a job offer with a better salary and we were able to
stand on our own feet again. At our local Checkers there is a man in his late fifties
working as a car watch. He is always nice and never complains about life. He has a
