Ubuntu: a Nguni Bantu term meaning “humanity”.
It is often translated as “I am because we are,” or “humanity towards others,” but is often used in a more philosophical sense to mean “the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity”.
When we first encountered the concept of Ubuntu through the writing of Nelson Mandela and other African humanists, it resonated with us in ways we could only fully understand after having visited South Africa ourselves.
We learnt that, according to Nelson Mandela, Ubuntu gives human beings their humanity; it’s a quality we owe each other. Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s thoughts on education, nature and wildlife conservation, we read further.
We believe that a person who exhibits Ubuntu is welcoming, hospitable, warm and generous and always willing to share. They are open and available to others, willing to be vulnerable, affirming of others, with the self-assurance that comes from knowing that they are part of a greater whole.
These are values and qualities we embrace and reflect, and we hope that when you visit us, you will experience them too.
In terms of I am, Because we are and in the Ubuntu thought we have tried to work together with local companies as much as we could to style the villa.
For example we have designed the furniture ourselves and the woodwork was all locally made in Hoedspruit. Our curtains and blinds come from a Hoedspruit company and our builder has lived in Hoedspruit almost all his life.
Working together and helping each other is important to us.
That’s also the reason we only work with local guides, local private chefs and local products. Our amenities are from the South African brand Africology, all natural and local products were used.
Last but not least, you’ll find books about Ubuntu and from Nelson Mandela in the villa so you can read a bit more about it. And of course in the meantime you can already view this video of Nelson Mandela explaining the meaning of the word Ubuntu.