Ubuntu is often summarised as “I am because we are.” It expresses a conviction, rooted in Southern African thought, that a person’s humanity is realised through their relationships with others. It is a moral idea, but it is also a practical one. It describes how strong communities work, and it has a great deal to say about how strong institutions are built.
At Praxis Global Institute, Ubuntu shapes our outlook: knowledge and capability become more valuable when they help people and institutions advance together. Here is what that means in practice.
Capability that stays when the project ends
Many institutional projects deliver results while they are active and fade once external support ends. Often the expertise sat with consultants or a small group of specialists, and it left when they did.
An Ubuntu-informed approach asks a different question at the outset: whose capability will be stronger when this work is complete? Building that capability means working alongside institutional teams rather than on their behalf, documenting methods so others can use them, and treating knowledge transfer as part of the result.
Collaboration as a design principle
Complex challenges in health, education and public service rarely sit inside one organisation. They cross ministries, universities, providers, communities and partners. Progress depends on how well these actors share information, align their efforts and trust one another.
Treating collaboration as a design principle, rather than a goodwill gesture, changes how work is planned. It means agreeing on shared goals and definitions early, making data and decisions visible to those who depend on them, and building relationships that outlast a single programme.
Leadership that grows other leaders
Ubuntu offers a distinctive view of leadership. A leader’s standing is measured not only by what they accomplish but by how they strengthen the people around them. In an institution, this shows up in leaders who share context generously, create room for others to contribute, and invest in the next generation of professionals.
This kind of leadership is not soft. It demands clear expectations and honest feedback. But it rests on the belief that an institution is strongest when capability is spread widely rather than concentrated in a few people.
Accountability to the people served
Ubuntu reminds us that institutions exist within communities. Their purpose is ultimately measured by the people they serve: patients, students, members, citizens. Keeping that relationship in view is a useful test for any decision. Does this strengthen our ability to serve well? Does it respect the dignity of those affected?
Evidence plays an important role here. Rigorous data helps institutions see whether services are reaching the people they are meant for, and where they are falling short.
Grounded in evidence, guided by Ubuntu
Our principle at Praxis is to be grounded in evidence and guided by Ubuntu. The two belong together. Evidence keeps us honest about what is working. Ubuntu keeps us clear about why the work matters and who it is for.
Progress that is shared is more durable than progress achieved alone. If your institution is looking for partners who work this way, we would welcome the chance to explore a collaboration.
Simon Aseno
Simon Aseno is President and CEO of Praxis Global Institute, where he leads work connecting research, technology, education and advisory to strengthen people, systems and institutions.
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