Submitted by Roz Ivey, University of Michigan-Flint social work student and administrative assistant for the School of Education and Human Services. This July 2016 trip was connected with a University of Michigan-Flint International and Global Studies (IGS) study abroad course: Rethinking Social Development in Southern Africa.

During the trip to South Africa we toured the town of Langa to see the people of that community in their environment, but our overall prime directive was to recognize and understand what “Ubuntu” is and how it is demonstrated. Out of respect for the families living in Langa, we were asked not to take pictures, but the sights and sounds will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Roz Ivey

One of the many challenges the people of Langa face on a day to day basis is close quarter living conditions. Our group took a walking tour through this community and we were told by our guide that as many as four families occupy a single home. The home that we actually went inside was shared by two families. We observed the kitchen area which doubled as a sleeping area for the children at nightfall; there was however no hot water coming from the kitchen sink, two actual bedrooms for the parents of each family, and a store room shared by both families.

Our guide recalled his growing up in a home quite like the one we toured and he commented that the families were able to co-exist because they lived by the “Ubuntu” code of consideration for the other person, with patience and love toward one another. The children are taught from a very early age that disrespect of “Ubuntu” would not be tolerated. He recalled the punishment of having to clean the kitchen area many times for being disobedient or disrespectful.

I was born and raised in Detroit, but I have lived and reared my children in Flint. As I reflect back on my youth growing up in Detroit, my household didn’t have the things that my children and grandchildren take for granted in their households today. My family didn’t always have a telephone, washer/dryer, dishwasher or even a car.

I did however have what I think are the most important things; love, encouragement, security, discipline and a sense of pride in myself and in my family name. I couldn’t act just any old kind of way when I was away from home or even in it because I was Hazel Willis’ daughter.  As I listened to our tour guide recall his youth, I feel that we shared the same kind of upbringing.

Our wealth is the richness of love and concern we show to others and the respect we have for ourselves, rather than in the things we possess. To me, this is Ubuntu. That’s what makes the community of Langa work despite all odds.