Possible correlation between sustainability, wellbeing and traditional African values : Wellbeing factors among citizens in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract:  Present development path is based on the Western ideas, with focus on market, competition, capitalism and individualism. It has shown to create unsustainable patterns in terms of a growing ecological footprint, decreased wellbeing and growing inequities. This calls for new, alternative development paths. The traditional African values are based on a holistic and humanistic ideology which focuses on health and safety of common citizens; meeting all peoples basic needs, sharing, social connectedness, living in harmony with other species and nature, a healthy environment, to experience satisfaction when your basic needs are met, not wanting more than you need (luxurious cravings), and the concern for health of future generations. In this sense, traditional values are sustainability bearing, and are also suggested to influence human wellbeing in a positive way.   This study have explored to what extent sustainability-bearing values from the traditional African lifestyle are considered to be important for the wellbeing of young, black individuals, and analyzed whether the values of means to achieve wellbeing differs or corresponds between people living a traditionally influenced lifestyle and a Western influenced lifestyle. Generally, the respondents found all these values more important for their wellbeing than luxurious consumption.     This suggests that values that are sustainability bearing are important for peoples wellbeing, and is thereby important to include in the development debate.