The Dynamism of Cultural Practices With Regard to Learners With Disabilities

Abstract

This chapter examines cultural practices about learners living with disabilities in the South African context. This involves the role of beliefs, culture, and even the values in the community and the creation of the school curriculum. The Ubuntu concept lies at the heart of the African way of life and impacts on every aspect of people's well-being. Ubuntu is actually regarded as the soul force that drives almost every facet of societal life in African societies and that creates the relationship between the African community. Ubuntu in the South African context or society is seen as the act of being human, caring, sympathy, empathy, forgiveness, or any values of humanness towards others. Ubuntu is a capacity in South African culture that expresses compassion, reciprocity, dignity, harmony, and humanity in the interest of building and maintaining a community with justice and mutual caring. The consequences of failure to embrace Ubuntu in South African schools manifests itself through learner indiscipline and staff not respecting each other.