UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
College of Human Sciences
⋄ ⋄
PLS1502 SEMESTER 1 2026
Introduction to African Philosophy
Assignment 2 Communitarianism and
Social Cohesion in South Africa
⋄ ⋄
Assignment 2
Document Information
PLS1502
Module Code
Introduction to African Philosophy
Module Name
Assignment 2 (Semester 1, 2026)
Assessment
Communitarianism and Social Cohesion
Topic
Menkiti and Gyekye
Philosophers
Harvard Method
Referencing
Approx. 950 words (body)
Word CountSubmitted in partial ful
lment of the requirements for PLS1502
,UNISA | PLS1502 Introduction to African Philosophy Assignment 2
Using Menkiti's argument that personhood is a `becoming' de
ned by communal excellence and
Gyekye's argument that the individual possesses `innate' dignity independent of the community,
write an essay in which you provide a critical evaluation of the South African government's focus
on `Social Cohesion' policies. Argue which framework radical or moderate communitarianism
better addresses the current tension between individual constitutional rights and communal
goods and duties in South Africa today. Include speci
c examples to support your discussion and
re
ect on how your own upbringing in a speci
c local context in
uences your preference for either
moderate or radical communitarianism.
Page 1 of 8
, UNISA | PLS1502 Introduction to African Philosophy Assignment 2
Introduction
South Africa is a country navigating a di
cult balance between two distinct ideas of what
a person is and what society owes them. On one side, the Constitution of 1996 is built on a
foundation of individual rights, dignity, and freedom. On the other side, the South African
government's social policies, including the National Development Plan 2030, consistently call
on citizens to place communal responsibilities at the centre of national life. This tension be-
tween individual rights and communal duty is not merely political; it has a deep philosophical
root. Two African philosophers Ifeanyi Menkiti and Kwame Gyekye oer competing ac-
counts of the relationship between the individual and the community, and their disagreement
maps almost exactly onto this national debate.
This essay argues that moderate communitarianism , as articulated by Gyekye, better ad-
dresses the tensions present in South Africa today than Menkiti's radical communitarianism
does. While communal values are important and should inform policy, a framework that pre-
serves the irreducible dignity of the individual is more consistent with South Africa's constitu-
tional commitments and with the realities of a diverse, post-apartheid society.
Page 2 of 8
College of Human Sciences
⋄ ⋄
PLS1502 SEMESTER 1 2026
Introduction to African Philosophy
Assignment 2 Communitarianism and
Social Cohesion in South Africa
⋄ ⋄
Assignment 2
Document Information
PLS1502
Module Code
Introduction to African Philosophy
Module Name
Assignment 2 (Semester 1, 2026)
Assessment
Communitarianism and Social Cohesion
Topic
Menkiti and Gyekye
Philosophers
Harvard Method
Referencing
Approx. 950 words (body)
Word CountSubmitted in partial ful
lment of the requirements for PLS1502
,UNISA | PLS1502 Introduction to African Philosophy Assignment 2
Using Menkiti's argument that personhood is a `becoming' de
ned by communal excellence and
Gyekye's argument that the individual possesses `innate' dignity independent of the community,
write an essay in which you provide a critical evaluation of the South African government's focus
on `Social Cohesion' policies. Argue which framework radical or moderate communitarianism
better addresses the current tension between individual constitutional rights and communal
goods and duties in South Africa today. Include speci
c examples to support your discussion and
re
ect on how your own upbringing in a speci
c local context in
uences your preference for either
moderate or radical communitarianism.
Page 1 of 8
, UNISA | PLS1502 Introduction to African Philosophy Assignment 2
Introduction
South Africa is a country navigating a di
cult balance between two distinct ideas of what
a person is and what society owes them. On one side, the Constitution of 1996 is built on a
foundation of individual rights, dignity, and freedom. On the other side, the South African
government's social policies, including the National Development Plan 2030, consistently call
on citizens to place communal responsibilities at the centre of national life. This tension be-
tween individual rights and communal duty is not merely political; it has a deep philosophical
root. Two African philosophers Ifeanyi Menkiti and Kwame Gyekye oer competing ac-
counts of the relationship between the individual and the community, and their disagreement
maps almost exactly onto this national debate.
This essay argues that moderate communitarianism , as articulated by Gyekye, better ad-
dresses the tensions present in South Africa today than Menkiti's radical communitarianism
does. While communal values are important and should inform policy, a framework that pre-
serves the irreducible dignity of the individual is more consistent with South Africa's constitu-
tional commitments and with the realities of a diverse, post-apartheid society.
Page 2 of 8
