Re-imagining an African ethical value-based social contract: in the context of using “Ubuntugogy” as an African framework

Abstract

South Africa is a democratic country. However, some missiology scholars, citizens, and leaders see it as one of the countries that are very violent by comparison to others. On one hand, others see it as a country that does not abide by its laws. On the other hand, others see it as a morally depraved country. What causes this negative situation? One of the answers could be political freedom and political transformation, which basically came after a long period of struggle against the unfair conditions of the past apartheid era. As a result, issues around social imbalance are exacerbated by an influx of refugees and a resultant increase in population. Creating a more tangible rationale for social contracts that South African citizens and other neighboring countries would be attracted to commit to, is indeed a huge task. A missiological examination uncovers, however, that despite of all the cultural differences and frictions prevalent in societies, some people are genuinely able to share a set of basic values that arguably could form the core of the sought-for moral direction needed in South Africa. Thus, combining the missiological trends (Mangayi & Baron, 2020) and the ideas of Ubuntugogy (Bangura, 2005) could be functional in bringing home to the next generation the notion of henceforth living by the precepts of such a moral direction and social contract. It is therefore this articles intention to use missiological, philosophical, theological, and African knowledge systems anchored on Ubuntugogy (Bangura, 2005) to illuminate social contract theories for decent social change. Writing from a southern African context, I propose Ubuntugogy, because its deep commitment to community, character and hospitality, has much to contribute to interculturality in the important missiological mandate.