Ubuntu is an African philosophy meaning “I am because we are”.
It is a phrase that has been adopted by the FIJI Water Flying Fijians during the Rugby World Cup in France.
In a team context, it is adding value to a collective target that emphasises unity.
While there is competition for the matchday 23 within the squad, in the end, it is for the team, explains rugged flanker Albert Tuisue.
“There’s a lot of competition, and you have to accept if you’re on the bench or starting lineup because it’s all for the team,” he said.
“Individually if you start, it’s all for the team and for those who are not playing.”
Prop Samu Tawake is likely to start off the bench against Georgia tomorrow.
“The team theme is ‘ubuntu‘ where everyone is trying to get better for the guy next to each other and you can see it in training where everyone is working on tiny micro skills to help them offer the best they can to the team,” Tawake said.
“It’s like a family and everyone accepts learning from everyone no matter your age or experience. Everyone’s ready to listen and help.”
The team’s athletics performance coach, David Sylvester, said the ‘ubuntu’ had brought a new meaning to the team spirit.
“The ubuntu feel of it, everybody, coaches, staff, players, we’re all in this together and we all want to be as best as we possibly can to constantly keep improving,” he said.
“We know that if each person’s trying their very best to improve, then it will improve the group as a whole.”
