Ubuntu is Not Only about the Human! An Analysis of the Role of African Philosophy and Ethics in Environment Management

A Marxist discourse on metabolic rift is used to examine the alienation of Africans from their environment and religious connections by capitalism and urbanisation. The paper emphasises the understanding of Ubuntu as an intimate relationship between humans and the natural environment. Indeed, the epitomisation of Ubuntu centres on the consolidation of the human, natural and spiritual tripartite. The paper shows that such a tripartite relationship allows Africans to transpose their Ubuntuness (humanness) and moral obligations not only to their fellow human beings, but also to the surrounding natural environment, including wildlife. Despite the usefulness of Ubuntu in the conservation of natural environments, the paper questions its effectiveness particularly in a capitalist and urbanised society where Africans are continually alienated from the natural environment.