Reflective Blog:

My perspective has been greatly influenced by the rich teachings and values of my cultural history as a black girl growing up in South Africa. The ideas of reverence for ancestors and ubuntu stand out among these teachings. These ideas have a strong cultural foundation and have greatly influenced my worldview and interactions with others.

Ubuntu: The Essence of Humanity

In my culture, one of the most important lessons is Ubuntu, which is a Nguni Bantu word that means "I am because we are." Mutual care, community, and connectivity are highlighted in this ideology. Ubuntu promotes compassion, giving, and unity by teaching that a person's humanity is inextricably linked to the humanity of others.
I learned early on the value of having empathy for others and the impact of my actions on people around me. I now feel a feeling of obligation to my community thanks to Ubuntu. It has influenced how I perceive success, which is now viewed as a shared rather than purely individual accomplishment. This idea inspires me to have empathy for other people and look for opportunities to make a positive difference in their lives. Put practically, Ubuntu affects how I deal with others every day. Ubuntu directs my behavior, whether it's helping out a neighbor, taking part in community events, or just being polite and considerate. It increases communal ties and creates a sense of belonging, which increases my awareness of how intertwined our experiences are as humans.

Reverence for Ancestors: Honoring the Past

Honoring one's ancestors is another important belief. Even after they have died away, ancestors are revered as essential members of the family and community in many black South African communities. This idea stems from the knowledge that ancestors' spirits are still keeping an eye on and guiding the living.
I was raised with a variety of ethnic customs and rituals that taught me to respect and appreciate my ancestors. These consist of saying prayers, carrying out customs, and upholding a strong sense of kinship ties. This respect for the past gives me a feeling of continuity and ties me to the past, serving as a reminder of the legacy and knowledge that have been passed down through the ages. My worldview has been shaped by my belief in ancestral guidance because it gives me a sense of purpose and rootedness. It instills in me the value of learning from the past and the necessity of seeking guidance from my forebears. This viewpoint inspires me to live humbly and gratefully, understanding that my journey is a part of a greater story.

As I navigate the complexities of modern life, these endogenous beliefs remain a source of strength and guidance, helping me to honor my cultural heritage while engaging with the world in a meaningful and compassionate way.

Overview of My Networks
My everyday existence at Northwest University is characterized by the dynamic interplay of multiple networks, each of which is shaped by unique relationships and exchanges. Based on the ideas of kinship and exchange in the South African setting, I've realized that these networks—which include friends, family, classmates, and social contacts—are essential to my development both personally and academically. In addition to forming my identity, these networks help material and immaterial resources move more easily. 

Family Network
My family is the center of my networks. Even though we live far apart, our relationship endures because we communicate all the time. My parents and siblings and I always have weekly video chats, which give me emotional support and a sense of continuity. We share life updates, life advice, and emotional support with one other. My parents show their continued concern and interest in my life by frequently sending care packages filled with my favorite snacks and necessities. I reciprocate by sharing my academic progress and accomplishments, strengthening our familial ties and satisfying their desire to see me flourish.

Academic Network
My study groups, lecturers, and classmates make up the core of my academic network. This network is essential to my continued study. Most conversations in the classroom are intellectual in nature. Students participate by posing questions and offering their perspectives, and professors teach through lectures and conversations. Study groups provide a more personal environment for reciprocal information exchange. Every team member contributes their unique qualities, be it a prowess for deciphering intricate ideas or extraordinary organizing abilities. Working together improves both our group comprehension and academic achievement.

Social Network
My social network extends beyond the classroom to include pals from extracurricular activities and my housing. Emotional interactions and common experiences define this network. We navigate shared living with 59 other students, which creates a special affinity. My block's fifteen students have grown to be like a second family. We share common experiences, encourage one another through difficulties, and share in victories. Meals together, late-night talks, and group problem-solving exercises strengthen our relationship.

Intimate Partnership
My relationship with my partner is a big element of my social network. This partnership is an instrument of assistance and trade. We encourage one another in our individual pursuits, share our everyday experiences, and provide emotional support. This communication is essential to keeping up a positive and sustaining relationship, which greatly enhances my general wellbeing.

Online Network
My internet network is really important in this digital age. I can connect with a wider community through social media and online forums, which includes long-distance family members, interest-based groups, and old pals. The dissemination of news, information, and cultural trends is facilitated by this network. It enables me to maintain connections and knowledge even when I'm physically far away.

Reflecting on these networks, it is evident that they are not isolated but interwoven, each contributing to my development in different ways. The exchanges within these networks are multifaceted ranging from emotional and intellectual support to material goods and shared experiences.

A Day at Northwest University

My alarm jolts me awake at 6:30 AM, and as a germophobe, I start my day with a hot shower, enjoying the invigorating scent of eucalyptus. The accommodation block is quiet, with only the faint sounds of distant alarms and footsteps. I brush my teeth, appreciating the minty freshness, and then dress methodically in my organized room. Breakfast consists of oatmeal with cinnamon and apples, and the aroma of brewing coffee fills the air. By 7:30 AM, I head out, enjoying the crisp morning air and the earthy scent of dew-kissed grass on my way to class.

Classes begin at 7:30 AM, where the lecture hall buzzes with activity and the professor's voice echoes as they explain complex theories. By noon, hunger leads me to the campus cafeteria, where a variety of aromas greet me. I choose a chicken salad, enjoying the crunch and tangy dressing. Lunch is a social event with my girlfriend and friends, filled with laughter and conversation.

In the afternoon, I study at the serene library, surrounded by the comforting scent of old books. My study group collaborates effectively, contributing insights and challenging each other's understanding. Later, I return to my accommodation to tidy up, which brings a sense of calm. I prepare a quick snack of apples and peanut butter, enjoying the sweet and savory combination.

As evening approaches, I balance solitary and social activities, starting with an hour of reading. Dinner is a communal event with my block mates, filled with the sounds and smells of cooking. We share a meal, and the conversation is light and filled with laughter.

The night ends with a video call to my girlfriend, sharing the day's highlights. I then prepare for bed, cleaning my space and setting out clothes for the next day, providing a sense of order. The sounds of the night fade as I drift into a peaceful sleep, ready for another day at Northwest University.

Reflective Blog: Unveiling My Own Assumptions
I now have a deeper understanding of how language shapes perceptions and constructs identities thanks to Wainaina's satirical guide "How to Write About Africa," Miner's anthropological parody "Body Ritual Among the Nacirema," and the insightful TED Talks by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Sierra Leonean activist Mariama Baht-Williams. These pieces have exposed the nuanced but potent ways that exoticization, stereotypes, and false information reinforce otherness and lead to skewed perceptions of individuals and societies. When I consider my own presumptions, I see how I have unintentionally reinforced prejudices. I became aware of the simplistic narratives I had internalized about Africa after reading Wainana's article, which was filled with overdone clichés about the continent. For example, I used to have a monolithic perspective of Africa, emphasizing poverty and violence while downplaying the continent's enormous cultural richness and complexity. It was a sobering epiphany that made me realize how much my narrow viewpoint had led to the marginalization of a whole continent. Miner's humorous depiction of the strange ceremonies practiced by the Nacirema caused me to reflect on my own ethnocentric prejudices. Through an anthropological and distanced presentation of American customs, Miner demonstrated how ordinary behaviors may become exotic when viewed through the eyes of an outsider. This made me face the ways in which I could unintentionally stigmatize and exoticize cultures that are not like mine, seeing them as 'strange' or 'primitive' instead of gaining an understanding of them on their own terms. To sum up, these pieces have shed light on my personal prejudices as well as the ways that language and representation affect how I see other people. I can work toward a more complex and sympathetic understanding of many cultures by critically analyzing and rejecting these presumptions, which will lessen the construction of otherness in my own worldview.