As the 2024 China International Confucius Cultural Festival approaches on September 27 in Qufu, China’s Shandong Province, South Africans are finding surprising connections between their own values and those of the ancient Chinese philosopher.
In a recent visit to South Africa, locals shared their perspectives on Confucianism and its relevance today.
“The foundational Confucian virtue of ‘ren’, or benevolence, is so similar to our concept of Ubuntu,” said Clea Schultz Mofokeng. “Both encourage us to be kind to others and recognize our shared humanity.”
Another South African, Greta Frieslaar, reflected on the importance of education. “Confucius championed universal access to education over 2,500 years ago,” she said. “I believe everyone should have the opportunity to learn and grow, just as he advocated.”
The parallels between Confucianism and African philosophies like Ubuntu highlight universal themes of compassion, community, and the pursuit of knowledge that transcend cultures and time.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
