Can we show the spirit of Ubuntu on social media?

Abstract

Caring, affection, sympathy, commonality, and togetherness are some of the good qualities and attributes of Africans for centuries. Africans use words and sympathy to heal wounds and broken hearts. These attributes are elements of Ubuntu that are socially inbuilt in Africans. African forefathers use the above qualities and attribute to build their families and communities, also, to fight and win wars. The spirit of Ubuntu promotes care, concern, and engagement for one another (Mungai, 2009; Chaplin, 2006). Africans are known for the practice of Ubuntu, which is the interconnection and concern from person to person. Ubuntu is an African philosophy on the practice of humanity and social affection for one another. Digitalization continues to make waves across Africa. Globally, we live in the digital world, global village, connected world, and even social media world (social media age), and so on; humans, specifically Africans, are digitally connected. The human world today is more connected than before because of social media platforms and other digital tools. Social media has become critical interconnectivity, communication tool, and communication highway for Africans within and outside Africa.