Ubuntu is an African philosophy which encapsulates the idea of 'human-ness'. It is also part of a Zulu expression ' umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu', meaning 'a person is a person, through other persons'. This is distinct from individualistic thinking. Comparative to Cartesian rationale, 'I think therefore I am', Ubuntu's rationale would be 'I belong, therefore I am', immediately positioning the individual in a communal context.

Ubuntu has a broad meaning and is generally spoken about in relation to civil society. It is an ideology which describes group solidarity, which has become particularly important in South Africa's nation-building process. It is a key tenant to what democratic South Africa aspires to be - a completely socially integrated country.

Ubuntu also interconnects with South Africa's different cultures. The constitution of South Africa respects all cultures, and this attitude is being fostered in all aspects of South African society. The culture and history of the country is diversified and the idea of Ubuntu is also that South Africans unite together in one common vision of a unified country.

It is also the spirit of Ubuntu which it is hoped will allow South Africans the space to embrace each other despite a violent past. This is also reflected by the success of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

There is version of the operating system Linux called Ubuntu.