Comment by mmsimanga | Hacker News Reader

Comment by mmsimanga | Hacker News Reader

We have a saying back home that goes, "umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" which literally translates to a person is a person because of other people. So in effect in Africa we care more about people than our jobs. Trouble is when your job is managing national electricity company it isn't a good approach because we tend to put our relationships above our jobs. Result is patchy electricity supply. It is one (just one not the main reason) of the reasons we are behind when it comes to development. Development as in clean running water, functional clinics.

I sort of straddle both worlds. In software development you need to get it right. At home people are more important. As an example just today in-laws visiting where supposed to go to see touristy sights at 11 in the morning. They eventually left at 3pm because we all had loads to catch up on. People first :-).

Do you mind sharing from what country you come from and what language that is in please?

I just spent three years driving around Africa, and I usually say "People treat people like people" to describe everything that is amazing about the people there. It sounds awkward, but it's the best way I have to describe what you're talking about. I'd love to quote your saying, if you don't mind!

South Africa. And I guess Xhosa/Zulu. The electricity provider mentioned is Eskom. It's complicated.

Yes it is South Africa. Born in Zim to descendents of Mzilikazi who left South Africa during Shaka Zulu's reign.

The saying isn't mine but an African idiom. As you spent time in Africa experiencing it you have every right to use it :-).

Ha I resonate with this so much. From from the motherland to the US and it's been interesting because I love some of the freedom of self expression the individualism gives me but often times have to be snapped back from the east coast rush-everywhere life I've lived recently and remember that it's okay to hang out till late because the time spent connecting with others meaningfully is hardly ever a waste.

Indeed, people, relationships and our connections make us who we are

All drawings, paintings, and art I saw in Africa, all of them depict people in a group. There is never a single person depicted in any imagery.

You won't find any Mona Lisa in African art. :-)

This is a fascinating difference. I never really stopped to consider how individualistic a lot of western art is.

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