Toward a Black African Theological Anthropology and Ubuntu Ethics

This essay studies the moral values and practical relevance of the South African concept of Ubuntu in the  process of rethinking Black African theological ethics and Black African theological anthropology. Toward  this goal, we examine the works of three prominent African theologians: LaurentiMagesa, a diocesan priest from Tanzania, John S. Mbiti, an Anglican priest from Kenya, and BénézetBujo, a Catholic priest from the  Democratic Republic of the Congo.1 The aim of this comparative analysis is to highlight the importance and  implications of Black theological anthropology and ethics to the social and moral life of the individual and  the community. This study also aims at articulating a model that is theologically sound, human- sensitive  and enriching, and emancipatory. We shall investigate in their ethico-theological writings the intersection of  theism, personhood, community, and Ubuntu as an African humanism. The selected African thinkers give the  impression that the African perspective on humanity, the social life, and the moral life is more promising,  liberating, and dignifying than the Western vision on these issues. The theological anthropology and ethics of Magesa, Mbiti, and Bujostrongly promote interconnected human  relations and interactional social dynamics that are based on the Ubuntu moral ethics.This essay suggests  that Black African theological anthropology and theological ethics have a strong foundation on the Ubuntu  moral virtues and ethical principles that promotes human flourishing and a life in solidarity within the  framework of the community and a symbiotic relationship between God, the community, and the individual.

Keywords: African theological anthropology, African theological ethics, Ubuntu ethics, Black theology,  African traditional religion.