The Department of Community Health Studies (Child and Youth Care Programme) at the Durban University of Technology has teamed up with Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah, USA to conduct an independent research study titled The Ubuntu Project.
The study is funded by BYU and focuses on how ubuntu is manifested within the context of daily family life and processes in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is centered on the Nguni idea of umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu (a person is a person because of other people).
The project is being driven by eight individuals, namely Professor Ray Bhagwan, Seshnum Harilal, Stephanie Blickfeldt, Professor Randal Day, Sam Pereyra, Larri- Lea Day, Pamla Pangwa and Bongani Soxujwa. Each university is represented by two academics and two students.
The planning for the research study began early in the month of June upon the arrival of the professors from BYU. Data collection commenced shortly after ethics clearance was received from the two universities and following the signing of a MOU with DUT’s Professor Frederick Otieno, DVC: Technology, Innovation and Partnerships.
The study involved collecting both qualitative and quantitative data from students around DUT.
“The objective is to understand Ubuntu. Since there are many students who come from socially disadvantaged homes. It is important to help them to progress spiritually, mentally, socially and economically,” said Prof Bhagwan, Associate Professor in the Community Health Studies Department.
The team is currently working together with analysing data from the survey, interviews and focus groups with students to publish findings in several international journals.
BYU academic Prof Randal Day said this project has been a wonderful experience for his students and a great opportunity to work with DUT faculty members. “We are doing work that will help us understand community and family life better. Hopefully, this is a start of an ongoing collaborative research relationship,” he said, adding that Prof Bhagwan and the entire Child and Youth Care Programme have been good hosts.
To show their appreciation for the study and DUT’s support, the BYU representatives have sourced and paid for clothes and linen from a laundromat near their hotel in Durban and will donate these to children’s homes affiliated with the DUT Child and Youth Care Programme and needy communities around the city. Prof Bhagwan commended the generosity of the BYU representatives, saying this is indicative of the spirit of ubuntu.
The project’s long term aim is to examine cross-cultural comparisons between South African and American families with regard to values found in ubuntu (such as belongingness, forgiveness, sacrifice, etc).
Nikita Smith-Morgan
Pictured: Brigham Young University students involved in The Ubuntu Project surrounded by bags containing clothes and linen which will be distributed to selected children’s homes in KwaZulu Natal.
