Introduction
In this essay I will be discussing what it means to me to be an African. In this discussion I will be
looking at issues that impact on attacks of foreigners by locals (Xenophobia), moreover, the Ubuntu
aphorism and lastly, I will discuss Communal Life and togetherness.
African Philosophy
To me, being African means being a Black person as opposed to being of African descent. It is said
that when you are born in Africa, Africa is also born in you and so the love affairs with your homeland
begins. Moreover, being African seems to be more than simply a coincidence of birth, it is a choice
too. Those living in the Diaspora have often never touched African soil, yet Africa is alive in them. But
what does it means to be an African?
For me being African and living in Africa means I can be myself and not be apologetic about how I
look. I am proud to live in a continent so diverse where different cultures, races, religions and
languages are celebrated. I am proud that I can speak 3 African languages. I think as Africans we are
very resilient. We come from a history of pain but we continue to prove to the world that we are not
defined by our past. I love that we are vibrant and have so much humility, we believe in uplifting each
other, my favourite saying is "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" which means that a person is a person
through other people. I believe the spirit of Ubuntu lives only in Africa.
“Africans” are people located in the continent of Africa and in diaspora. (PLS 1502 Study guide). The
indigenous peoples of the continent designated geographically as “Africa” may therefore not take it
for granted whenever others refer to them as “Africans”, or when they refer to themselves as such
(ibid).
Another African author who has made us to think about what it means to be African is Professor Ali
Mazrui. In the newspaper article in the Daily Monitor (Dec. 12, 2009), Mazrui distinguishes between
two types of Africans: We must distinguish between Africans of the blood and Africans of the soil.
Africans of the blood are defined in racial and genealogical terms; they are identified with the black
race. Africans of the soil, on the other hand, are defined in geographical terms; they are identified
with the Africans continent in nationality and ancestral location. Mazrui identified two more
categories of Africans: However, most Ghanaians, Nigerians and Ugandans are both Africans of the
blood, genealogically belonging to the African race, and Africans of the soil, geographically located in,
or belonging to, the African continent … F.W. de Klerk and other white South Africans are Africans of
the soil by adoption. This also applies to East Africans of Indian or Pakistani ancestry. They are indeed
Africans of the soil by adoption (ibid).
Issues impacting on attack of foreigners by locals
(Xenophobia)
Xenophobic violence against foreign nationals in South Africa has worsened. South Africa witnessed
widespread xenophobic attacks since 1994 in provinces such as Gauteng, Western Cape, Free State,
Limpopo and Kwa-Zulu Natal. There has been this and much speculation of the causes and triggers of
the violence. A number of reports have highlighted various issues contributing to xenophobia; some
of which include poor service delivery and competition for resources. The type of leadership within
communities might have an impact on whether or not xenophobic attacks occur in certain
communities, which talks to issues of governance. The issue is not only about foreign nationals and
In this essay I will be discussing what it means to me to be an African. In this discussion I will be
looking at issues that impact on attacks of foreigners by locals (Xenophobia), moreover, the Ubuntu
aphorism and lastly, I will discuss Communal Life and togetherness.
African Philosophy
To me, being African means being a Black person as opposed to being of African descent. It is said
that when you are born in Africa, Africa is also born in you and so the love affairs with your homeland
begins. Moreover, being African seems to be more than simply a coincidence of birth, it is a choice
too. Those living in the Diaspora have often never touched African soil, yet Africa is alive in them. But
what does it means to be an African?
For me being African and living in Africa means I can be myself and not be apologetic about how I
look. I am proud to live in a continent so diverse where different cultures, races, religions and
languages are celebrated. I am proud that I can speak 3 African languages. I think as Africans we are
very resilient. We come from a history of pain but we continue to prove to the world that we are not
defined by our past. I love that we are vibrant and have so much humility, we believe in uplifting each
other, my favourite saying is "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" which means that a person is a person
through other people. I believe the spirit of Ubuntu lives only in Africa.
“Africans” are people located in the continent of Africa and in diaspora. (PLS 1502 Study guide). The
indigenous peoples of the continent designated geographically as “Africa” may therefore not take it
for granted whenever others refer to them as “Africans”, or when they refer to themselves as such
(ibid).
Another African author who has made us to think about what it means to be African is Professor Ali
Mazrui. In the newspaper article in the Daily Monitor (Dec. 12, 2009), Mazrui distinguishes between
two types of Africans: We must distinguish between Africans of the blood and Africans of the soil.
Africans of the blood are defined in racial and genealogical terms; they are identified with the black
race. Africans of the soil, on the other hand, are defined in geographical terms; they are identified
with the Africans continent in nationality and ancestral location. Mazrui identified two more
categories of Africans: However, most Ghanaians, Nigerians and Ugandans are both Africans of the
blood, genealogically belonging to the African race, and Africans of the soil, geographically located in,
or belonging to, the African continent … F.W. de Klerk and other white South Africans are Africans of
the soil by adoption. This also applies to East Africans of Indian or Pakistani ancestry. They are indeed
Africans of the soil by adoption (ibid).
Issues impacting on attack of foreigners by locals
(Xenophobia)
Xenophobic violence against foreign nationals in South Africa has worsened. South Africa witnessed
widespread xenophobic attacks since 1994 in provinces such as Gauteng, Western Cape, Free State,
Limpopo and Kwa-Zulu Natal. There has been this and much speculation of the causes and triggers of
the violence. A number of reports have highlighted various issues contributing to xenophobia; some
of which include poor service delivery and competition for resources. The type of leadership within
communities might have an impact on whether or not xenophobic attacks occur in certain
communities, which talks to issues of governance. The issue is not only about foreign nationals and
