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Affordable and Renewable Energy- Decent Work and Economic Growth
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- Brief created: 2025
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The holism of ubuntu: The missing link in 4IR led environmental justice solutions
Brief about:
Chapter in an Edited Book (2024)
Written by:
Investigates the integration of ubuntu philosophy into Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) strategies for environmental justice in South Africa, emphasizing indigenous knowledge systems as a counterbalance to Western technological solutions.
In South Africa, the rapid adoption of 4IR technologies, such as automation in industries and digital banking, has led to significant socio-economic challenges, including job losses and increased inequality. For instance, Standard Bank’s closure of over 100 branches between 2018 and 2019 resulted in the loss of 1200 jobs, highlighting the adverse effects of digital transformation on employment. The high cost of data and unreliable electricity further exacerbate these issues, as seen in the 2019 Eyewitness News report, which noted that South Africans pay $7.19 for 1GB of data, compared to $2.22 in Nigeria. These challenges underscore the country’s unpreparedness for 4IR, particularly in the context of existing socio-economic disparities.
The environmental justice sector, often led by NGOs, has embraced 4IR technologies like solar and wind energy as solutions to climate change. However, these technologies can inadvertently perpetuate dependency on Western countries for manufacturing and expertise, as seen in the case of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in India, which led to increased poverty and farmer suicides. The paper critiques the NGO-driven push for Western solutions, arguing that they often align with funders’ agendas rather than local needs. It highlights the potential of indigenous strategies, such as biogas production, which align with the holistic philosophy of ubuntu, to address multiple social and environmental challenges simultaneously.
Key findings
- The adoption of 4IR technologies in South Africa has exacerbated socio-economic inequalities and job losses.Evidence
Standard Bank's closure of over 100 branches between 2018 and 2019 resulted in 1200 job losses, and the high cost of data ($7.19 per GB) limits access to digital services.
What it meansThe rapid implementation of 4IR technologies without considering local socio-economic contexts can deepen existing inequalities and hinder inclusive development.
- Indigenous knowledge systems, such as biogas production, offer sustainable and holistic solutions to environmental and social challenges.Evidence
Community discussions in the Highveld Priority Area highlighted the potential of biogas from cow dung and food waste to provide energy, improve soil fertility, and generate income.
What it meansIndigenous strategies rooted in ubuntu can address multiple interconnected challenges, promoting self-reliance and sustainability.
- Western-led technological solutions often overlook local contexts and exacerbate dependency on external actors.Evidence
The reliance on Western-manufactured solar panels and wind turbines mirrors the GMO case in India, where external solutions led to increased poverty and dependency.
What it meansEmphasizing local knowledge and solutions can reduce dependency and empower communities to address their own challenges.
- The philosophy of ubuntu emphasizes interconnectedness and mutual care, offering a framework for integrating indigenous knowledge with modern technologies.Evidence
Ramose's and LenkaBula's discussions on ubuntu highlight its potential to foster ecological harmony and social cohesion.
What it meansUbuntu provides a holistic approach to development that values community, ecology, and spirituality, challenging profit-driven Western paradigms.
- NGOs often prioritize funders' agendas over local needs, limiting the effectiveness of their interventions.Evidence
The NGO case study in the Highveld Priority Area showed that community-driven solutions were sidelined due to funding constraints and deliverables.
What it meansAligning NGO strategies with local priorities and knowledge can enhance their impact and foster genuine community empowerment.
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The holism of ubuntu: The missing link in 4IR led environmental justice solutions
Cite this brief: Shange, Nombulelo Tholithemba. 'The holism of ubuntu: The missing link in 4IR led environmental justice solutions'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/the-holism-of-ubuntu-the-missing-link-in-4ir-led-environmental-justice-solutions/
Brief created by: Dr Nombulelo Tholithemba Shange | Year brief made: 2025
Original research:
- Shange, N. T., The holism of ubuntu: The missing link in 4IR led environmental justice solutions In The 4IR and the Humanities in South Africa Perspectives on innovation, power and potentialities, (pp. 141–155), Cape Town: https://doi.org/10.4102/aosis.2024.BK431. – https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/91128/1/9781991271075.pdf
Research brief:
Investigates the integration of ubuntu philosophy into Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) strategies for environmental justice in South Africa, emphasizing indigenous knowledge systems as a counterbalance to Western technological solutions.
In South Africa, the rapid adoption of 4IR technologies, such as automation in industries and digital banking, has led to significant socio-economic challenges, including job losses and increased inequality. For instance, Standard Bank’s closure of over 100 branches between 2018 and 2019 resulted in the loss of 1200 jobs, highlighting the adverse effects of digital transformation on employment. The high cost of data and unreliable electricity further exacerbate these issues, as seen in the 2019 Eyewitness News report, which noted that South Africans pay $7.19 for 1GB of data, compared to $2.22 in Nigeria. These challenges underscore the country’s unpreparedness for 4IR, particularly in the context of existing socio-economic disparities.
The environmental justice sector, often led by NGOs, has embraced 4IR technologies like solar and wind energy as solutions to climate change. However, these technologies can inadvertently perpetuate dependency on Western countries for manufacturing and expertise, as seen in the case of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in India, which led to increased poverty and farmer suicides. The paper critiques the NGO-driven push for Western solutions, arguing that they often align with funders’ agendas rather than local needs. It highlights the potential of indigenous strategies, such as biogas production, which align with the holistic philosophy of ubuntu, to address multiple social and environmental challenges simultaneously.
Findings:
The adoption of 4IR technologies in South Africa has exacerbated socio-economic inequalities and job losses.
Standard Bank’s closure of over 100 branches between 2018 and 2019 resulted in 1200 job losses, and the high cost of data ($7.19 per GB) limits access to digital services.
The rapid implementation of 4IR technologies without considering local socio-economic contexts can deepen existing inequalities and hinder inclusive development.
Indigenous knowledge systems, such as biogas production, offer sustainable and holistic solutions to environmental and social challenges.
Community discussions in the Highveld Priority Area highlighted the potential of biogas from cow dung and food waste to provide energy, improve soil fertility, and generate income.
Indigenous strategies rooted in ubuntu can address multiple interconnected challenges, promoting self-reliance and sustainability.
Western-led technological solutions often overlook local contexts and exacerbate dependency on external actors.
The reliance on Western-manufactured solar panels and wind turbines mirrors the GMO case in India, where external solutions led to increased poverty and dependency.
Emphasizing local knowledge and solutions can reduce dependency and empower communities to address their own challenges.
The philosophy of ubuntu emphasizes interconnectedness and mutual care, offering a framework for integrating indigenous knowledge with modern technologies.
Ramose’s and LenkaBula’s discussions on ubuntu highlight its potential to foster ecological harmony and social cohesion.
Ubuntu provides a holistic approach to development that values community, ecology, and spirituality, challenging profit-driven Western paradigms.
NGOs often prioritize funders’ agendas over local needs, limiting the effectiveness of their interventions.
The NGO case study in the Highveld Priority Area showed that community-driven solutions were sidelined due to funding constraints and deliverables.
Aligning NGO strategies with local priorities and knowledge can enhance their impact and foster genuine community empowerment.