Ubuntu and a New Global Order Based on Social Justice: Insights from Oliver Mtukudzi’s Music

Music generally reacts to the socio-economic and political issues that affect the people in the communities where the music emerges. Additionally, among the Shona and other Africans, music performance explores important areas of life such as rituals, sacrifices, death and funerals, hunting and healing, as well as politics. Rooted in the view that Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi sang Ubuntu, and his music portrays life experiences of Zimbabwean people and beyond; this chapter explores the social inequalities explored in Mtukudzi’s music from an Ubuntu perspective. This chapter explores social inequalities in the form of gender-based violence, health inequalities, food injustices, environmental injustice, child neglect and maltreatment and others. Essentially, it reflects on Ubuntu principles and interlinks themes emerging from Mtukudzi’s music (social justice, human dignity, generosity, peace, understanding and social connectedness) within the analysis. The chapter connects how Mtukudzi’s songs also corroborate the prescripts of Sustainable Development Goals 2 zero hunger, 3 good health and equality, 5 gender equality, 6 clean water and sanitation, 10 reduced inequalities, 13 climate action, 14 life below water and 15 life on land. To its end, the chapter calls for academics to learn from Ubuntu and musical lyrics as these sources can both entertain and educate students, community members and the global community.