The Role of Ubuntu in University Residence Life

BY: .

Master’s graduate Mr Sthembiso Phoswa has produced a thought-provoking dissertation titled: “Cohesive Living: Exploring the Value of Ubuntu Among Students Staying in Residences at a University in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa”.

Supervised by Dr Sibonisile Zibane, Phoswa’s study explores the vital role Ubuntu plays in fostering connection, respect and shared responsibility among students living in university residences.

The research reveals how this African philosophy helps shape a sense of community and belonging in campus life. ‘Ubuntu is more than just a concept,’ Phoswa said. ‘It is a lived experience that brings people together and makes residence life more human.’

His study found that simple acts such as sharing food or forming study groups help build strong bonds between students, easing the pressures of academic life and cultural adjustment.

‘The practice of food sharing was a sign that “I see you”,’ he explained. ‘Even when students didn’t have much, they made sure no one slept on an empty stomach.’

As a house committee member, Phoswa helped initiate a food-sharing programme that embodied the spirit of Ubuntu.

‘We saw how difficult things were for some students, especially financially. So, we said, “Let’s not wait for help from outside, let’s help each other first.”’ That sense of collective care extended into academic life, where students organically formed support networks.

‘Study groups were a space not only to learn but to be understood, it’s where we could speak freely and encourage each other without judgement,’ he said.

Phoswa believes that Ubuntu can be a cornerstone of student development.

He recommends integrating it into orientation programmes and residence leadership training, also advocating for more Afrocentric leadership models rooted in students’ lived experiences. ‘When you introduce Ubuntu early, it changes how students see each other. It’s not just about coexisting - it’s about co-living.’

‘When leadership is rooted in who we are, it becomes real and relatable. Afrocentric leadership reflects the realities and values of African students - it connects on a deeper level,’ he adds.

Multilingualism, too, emerged as a key theme. ‘Speaking to someone in their own language changes everything. It creates warmth and trust,’ he noted. For Phoswa, language is not just a communication tool but a cultural connector that deepens the values of Ubuntu within diverse student populations.

Phoswa is proudly affiliated with the Ma’at Institute at UKZN’s College of Humanities, an African-centred psychosocial support initiative that underpins much of his academic and professional work.

Now working towards his PhD, Phoswa’s research continues to explore the intricate connections between ancestral calling and cultural identity within township high schools in KwaZulu-Natal. His vision of university life, shaped by research and lived experience, draws on compassion, collaboration and community as daily practice - with a reminder that Ubuntu still lives in the small acts that make us human.

‘I give thanks to my ancestors for their continuous guidance throughout this journey. Thokozani! Camagu! Lesedi!’

Words: Rakshika Sibran

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini