African community understandings of Ubuntu and its application to design of a junior basketball program to support health and wellbeing in Melbourne, Australia

Sports-based youth-development programs are found to increase community connection, health and wellbeing within migrant communities, yet there is a little attention paid to integrating Indigenous viewpoints, cultural norms and practices in the early conceptualisation, design and development of such programs. We analyse African-Australian community members' views and practices of Ubuntu to inform the co-design of an existing sports-based youth development program, the Black Rhinos Basketball Program, for a younger age-group. Drawing upon data from a larger study exploring community members' views about Ubuntu, community, health and wellbeing, this study employed individual interviews and focus groups with 22 community members to explore participants' personal understandings of Ubuntu and how they could be employed in the co-design of the expanded program for children, young people and their families. Thematic analysis of the data highlights an integrated understanding of Ubuntu, health and wellbeing, which includes recognition, respect, sense of family and belonging and reciprocity. These conceptualisations of Ubuntu were then applied to the design of the basketball program, with an emphasis on sport as an opportunity to practice role modelling and leadership. This study suggests that integrating Indigenous philosophy and worldview into health interventions May cultivate and enhance values and skills that strengthen a young person's cultural identity.<p></p>