In South Africa – when-ever we want to give something special status, we would link it with uBuntu which is why we have an ‘uBuntu dry-cleaners,’ ‘uBuntu printers,‘ ‘uBuntu Security,’ and an ‘uBuntu tour….’ which is how DJ Du Preez – CEO of Into Africa Safari – the official organiser and host of the annual University of Massachusetts (UMASS) tour to South Africa has referred to this project since the beginning in 2014.
DJ knew that the ultimate experience UMASS would enjoy through their annual working visit to South Africa would be the Spirit of South Africa… our uBuntu!
Because of uBuntu’s deep and extensive view on ‘what it means to be human,’ apart from experiencing it, uBuntu is also seen by many as an important and valuable inclusion in education at a foundational level. Because uBuntu is inherent to life, looking through its lens brings new depth, value, meaning, and richness to any field/topic/subject/area/issue/project in society.
Even though there has been widespread support and a call for the education of uBuntu for many years, this has unfortunately not happened for several reasons. And this is where the uBuntu Civics Academy – a trusted and respected uBuntu learning institution, comes in.
Having been involved with uBuntu for approximately twenty years, we have not only learned much about uBuntu through our full time involvement, research, activism, and promotion of uBuntu, we have also gained a lot of experience in the teaching of uBuntu. We are the only school that we know of that exists for the purpose of making it possible for civil society to gain a comprehensive understanding of uBuntu and of looking at a great variety of fields (also the field of Tourism and Hospitality) and issues through the lens of uBuntu.
And this is how the uBuntu Civics Academy and Into Africa Safari found one-another. We congratulate Into Africa Safari for having had the vision to make it possible for people visiting South Africa (since 2023) to learn about uBuntu through our SEEDS of uBuntu Course. This, as far as we know, is a first for uBuntu, South Africa, as well as the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
The uBuntu Civics Academy is very grateful to Into Africa Safari for recognising our value and our uBuntu Service to society. We appreciate this very much! Receiving this award from someone that does so much for uBuntu is a great honor!
We also want to acknowledge that our collaboration has played a huge role in growing our school, expanding our service, and producing more courses – among these, a course specifically for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
The Into Africa Safari uBuntu Service Award is a great inspiration for us to continue to bring uBuntu to the heart and the mind of as many people as possible. Receiving this award is a wonderful part of our beautiful journey and history.
Thank you!
Anna-Mari Pieterse.
Founder of the uBuntu Civics Academy.
