Our Vision, Mission, Goals and Values

/ VISION, MISSION, GOALS, VALUES

OUR MISSION AND VISION

Our vision is to create a world in which people can live a just and dignified life. According to this principle, our mission is to demand and promote sustainable development. Bantu e.V. focuses on a critical approach to political development cooperation with international partners and an awareness of neocolonial dynamics throughout this workfield.

VALUES OF BANTU

The word Abantu (or “Bantu”) and it’s meaning “People” in different linguistic groups of people in sub-Saharan Africa, is not the only one laying at the foundation of our association. Another value we base our work on is Ubuntu. This word, which comes from the isiZulu and isiXhosa languages, refers to the qualities of generosity, consideration and humanity.

As an organisation, together with the community members, our friends and partners, based on this philosophical and historical truth, we set ourselves out by joining our limitless resources and expertise, the Ubuntu Spirit and Love to serve, build strong community systems that can uplift the Bantu (human beings) both in the diaspora and those on & from the African continent but also other marginalised communities in other global South regions.

“A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished when others are tortured or oppressed. (…) One of the sayings in our country is Ubuntu – the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can’t exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can’t be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality – Ubuntu – you are known for your generosity. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity”.

Bishop Desmond Tutu