The Transformation Office at the University of Pretoria (UP) is hosting a series of seminars that explores the transformative potential of the philosophy of ubuntu in decolonising workplace wellness practices. The series, which spans the African diaspora, aims to disrupt anti-black systems and promote a community of care for marginalised women in higher education.

“I hope that through these dialogue sessions, we can continue the conversations and work of creating workspaces that embrace connectedness and humility towards each other,” said Ntsikie Loteni, Director of the Transformation Office at UP, who opened the second session.

The session was co-presented by Dr Ramadimetja Mable Kekana, Chairperson of UP’s School of Health Care Sciences; Dr Di-Tu Dissassa, a Fulbright Scholar at UP; and Martha Kakooza, a doctoral student at Morgan State University in the US. The session’s innovative approach blended traditional African wisdom with contemporary organisational needs, offering a fresh perspective on creating inclusive, supportive work environments. By highlighting the importance of community-based accountability and holistic well-being, the facilitators presented a path towards decolonising workplace wellness practices.

“The series seeks to create a community of care for marginalised women in higher education,” said Dr Dissassa. “By emphasising interconnectedness and collective well-being, ubuntu challenges individualistic paradigms that often undermine genuine care and mutual support.”

The session delved into how ubuntu can be applied to occupational wellness without fully appropriating its originating culture, and explored its potential to open up broader wellness knowledge practices for black communities and address power imbalances in work roles and care responsibilities. Importantly, the session considered how both men and women can embrace caregiving roles, challenging traditional gender norms in the workplace.

The focus of the series on black women professionals in higher education settings is particularly significant, addressing an often-overlooked intersection of race, gender and professional life. As this approach gains traction, it has the potential to create more nurturing, equitable and culturally affirming work environments not just in Africa, but globally.

“It is important to maintain the culture of respect while being accommodating,” said Dr Kekana. “The way we talk to each other will determine the way we deal with each other.”

As workplaces around the world grapple with issues of equity and inclusion, this ubuntu-inspired approach offers a compelling alternative to traditional wellness models, challenging us to reimagine work through a decolonial, community-oriented lens. Many attendees left the session feeling inspired to carry the spirit of ubuntu into their professional lives, and felt equipped with new ideas with which to foster more inclusive, supportive and, ultimately, more humane work environments.