African concept of a person: Lessons for the 21st-century student

A lesson delivered by Dr. Blessing Chapfika to Year 10s at Beverley High School on Thursday, 21 July, 2022 following an invitation from an esteemed friend and colleague in education, Ms Sarah Brownell (Assistant Headteacher and Head of History).

Introduction

My friend and colleague, Sarah, introduced me to her class and spoke passionately about our long-term friendship. I briefly spoke about our friendship and paid tribute to Sarah's acts of humanity. I devoted most of the lesson to introducing the African concept of a person and the lesson we can draw from it. I presented both the African views and lessons as an alternative way of seeing and being such that, when embraced, could revolutionise the status quo by transforming our world. I drew the attention of the students to the concerning situations in our world and challenged them to study hard to build their capacity to steer the world in the direction of protecting and advancing humanity.

African concept of a person

I highlighted the following;

1. The idea of the person as central notion to African thought, as much as it is in other worldviews.

2. The two African notions of a person, which are a) the person in the biological sense (every existing person) and b) the person in the moral sense (ethical behaviour).

3. "You're a person" as an accolade or a badge that the bearers wears with pride.

4. Being a person means being tuned into the wellbeing of other or the community or committed to humanity.

5. Mbiti’s dictum "I am because we are, and since we are therefore I am" was presented as a benchmark of African ethics.

6. The connectedness of nature as the basis of African communitarian and egalitarian ethic.

7. Worthwhile living as collective wellbeing, including wellbeing of animals and the environment.

8. Life is purposeful. The purpose of a person is to protect and advance the connectedness of nature.

Five lessons for the 21st-century student

The following five lessons were discussed;

1. I am not the only person in this world. There are other people; when I look around, I see them. They matter as much as you do. And yes, I am my brother's keeper.

2. Nature is beautiful. Nature is one. I am kind to people, the environment, and spiritual beings (even if I don't believe they exist because they probably do).

3. The world is constantly becoming. I choose to be a change agent. I act to influence the world to become a place more habitable for everyone.

4. I am wary about locked gates because not all gates lead to something worthwhile. Some locked gates lead to nothingness.

5. I understand that if it is ordinary, it is not good enough. Heads only turn for extraordinary or unique moments. I always strive to be the better me because many 'better me' make this world a better place.

Conclusion

I experienced Beverley High School as a friendly and family environment in which the education agenda is pursued while teachers and students are having fun. The students are well-mannered, enthusiastic and inquisitive. A small group chose to stay behind after the lesson to express their gratitude to their teacher for inviting me. The abiding message was that they thoroughly enjoyed the lesson. One student was a bit emotional about the impact of the lesson, which she pledged to keep to share with her children! I had the pleasure to meet and chat briefly with professionals of note, the Headteacher, Ms Sharon Japp, and the Deputy Headteacher, Mr Mark Colton. I had a great time at the school. On my way out, a group of students from other classes waited to bid me farewell. I wish management, staff, and students of Beverley High School the best in their united commitment shape the next generation of leaders.