Blog

What does

"ubuntu"

mean

November 19, 2021

In the past year, we have been asked by many – a writer, a project manager, a teacher, and a coach cum facilitator from Brazil, on the word “Ubuntu” and why we chose it.

It was several years back that Kian Beng first came across this word in group activities where the facilitator used a deck of cards named “Ubuntu” – the cards in the deck had different combinations of random objects and once players spotted the same objects on the cards that their “opponents” were holding, the first person to call out “Ubuntu” would get to keep the shown card from the “opponents”. The game was fun and engaging, but playing the game didn’t mean that I understood the word. Of course, the organiser briefly explained, which didn’t really help him though.

Few years down the road, Kian Beng did a 1-month long backpacking and self-drive trip in South Africa. Along with 2 other friends, the adventure not only brought sightings of wildlife in the safaris, visits to vineyards and beaches, indulgence in food fresh from the farms and sea, but also experiences and connections of genuineness, authenticity, warmth, generosity and love from many locals and travelers. The insightful, reflective and awakening episode struck and impacted Kian Beng so much that when he was cracking over a list of suitable names for the space that he wanted to create 1 month later back in Singapore, the word “Ubuntu” surfaced again to his mind; this time round, he realised that he was seeing and feeling the word in a different light. And now, the word “Ubuntu” is guiding for what we believe in, for why we do what we are doing, and for what we like the world to be.

The word “Ubuntu” is an ancient African word meaning ‘humanity to others’. It is part of the Zulu phrase “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu”, which literally means that a person is a person through other people. It reminds us that ‘I am what I am because of who we all are’

The beginnings of

the ubuntu space

November 5, 2021

Taking a plunge into the unknown in mid 2019, Kian Beng left his previous job in the civil service. After more than a decade serving in the Singapore Civil Defence Force, he wanted to explore what else life could offer him.
Having been volunteering with several charity and non-profit organisations since his NTU undergraduate days, he was motivated to continue serving the community. In late July 2019, The Ubuntu Space was born, with the desire to create a space for conversations to happen, for possibilities to brew, and for relationships to blossom. By bringing people together and facilitating safe conversations for them, Kian Beng hope that more authentic connections can be made and genuine relationships can be forged.
The word “Ubuntu” is an ancient African word meaning ‘humanity to others’. It is part of the Zulu phrase “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu”, which literally means that a person is a person through other people. It is often described as reminding us that ‘I am what I am because of who we all are’.
Shortly after, Kian Beng changed upon the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology, which is an innovative process designed to enhance innovation and business performance. He was drawn into the experiential and facilitated nature of the methodology, and how it allows everyone in a group to be able to speak and share freely. LEGO SERIOUS PLAY is now one of the main tools used in The Ubuntu Space.