The Ubuntu and Batho Pele principles : the two overarching South African concepts for business and management application

Abstract

Management theory and practice have been developed mostly based on Western capitalist principles and imported into other nations. Some of these nations have their own indigenous principles though these are less well known. This chapter presents the values and concepts of Ubuntu and Batho Pele, both prominent business doctrines originally applied in the South African context.

Many scholars have pointed out the notion of Ubuntu as a philosophy that encompasses the beliefs, values, and behaviours of most South African people. It is a spirit of humaneness, caring and community, harmony, hospitality, and mutual respect among individuals and groups. It shows in the thinking and behaviour of African people towards others. Batho Pele, literally meaning ‘people first’ is a concept emanating from the Ubuntu principle that means putting other people ahead of one’s needs. It started with the drive to put others first, propagated from the advent of democracy in South Africa in 1994. This idea of prioritising others’ needs then gave rise to various service delivery policies, for example, the 1997 Batho Pele White Paper. Batho Pele, as adopted from Sotho–Tswana languages, was an initiative introduced by the Mandela administration to change the public service at all levels to be more focussed on continuously delivering and improving on excellent service.