Ubuntu philosophy and the paradox of disability: voices from Ovambo and Damara communities in Namibia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Despite global efforts towards the inclusion of people with disabilities, exclusion practices persist. This paper investigates the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities within two ethnic communities in Namibia – the Ovambo and Damara. Commissioned by the government through the Division of Disability Affairs, the paper is based on a qualitative study that is part of a broader initiative to develop national disability policies and resources in Namibia. Using ethnographic methods across seven of Namibia’s fourteen regions, the paper presents participants’ narratives to reveal the persistent challenges faced by people with disabilities. These challenges persist even though the communities are influenced by Ubuntu philosophy, which inherently supports communal relations and harmony. The paper argues that the exclusion experienced by individuals with disabilities stems not from Ubuntu philosophy itself, but rather from its absence, coupled with other social and cultural factors including historical colonisation, land dispossession, and genocide. The study concludes by advocating for culturally sensitive and historically informed reparative policies, suggesting that advocating for Ubuntu philosophy could offer a framework for restorative justice and inclusivity.