Realising pedagogical love through Ubuntu: cultivating inclusion and undoing coloniality for pluriversity

This chapter illustrates how ubuntu principles can generate student growth and transformation in adult and higher education within and outside of southern Africa. Ubuntu principles include coexistence, compassion, dialogue, dignity and respect, love and solidarity. The author draws on literature to show that pedagogy rooted in ubuntu encourages participation and empathy which fosters belonging in the classroom; promotes dignity and respect based on love which facilitates critical dialogue for learning growth and student self-actualisation; emphasises diversity as a road to harmony among students and knowledge co-creation; and enhances student outcomes through compassion and interdependent learning. The author argues that when appropriately implemented and internalised in educational settings among teachers and learners, ubuntu principles can empower students to free themselves from academic and personal barriers used to justify exclusion, oppression and self-promotion over collective good. The author concludes that when ubuntu is performed and embodied in the classroom pedagogical love emerges: a more compassionate, inclusive and humane approach to teaching and learning. As such, ubuntu pedagogy provides a pathway to pluriversity, that is a pluriversal adult and higher education landscape based on cognitive and social justice. Therefore, this chapter contributes to pedagogical love and the ongoing dialogue about promoting inclusion and countering colonial legacies in education.