The Founder And Chairman

Bhedlindaba Velaphi “VVO”KaLuPhuzi Mkhize, PhD

best-selling author of books on African spirituality, popular broadcaster

Founder

Bhedlindaba Velaphi “VVO” KaLuPhuzi Mkhize is a philologist and spiritual healer from KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. He is a poet, literary scholar, who has written (12) books on poetry and deep insights on African spirituality and well-being. He is a dazzling public speaker and newspaper columnist. His Holy, Worship and Spiritual place is called: eMlambomunye. 

Bhedlindaba is the president and founder of Umsamo African Institute and the South African Healers Association. He previously worked on radio and TV, and has taught at several academic institutions in South Africa.  Bhedlindaba is also a seasoned communication specialist, and an MBA and PhD graduate from the University of Hull, and University of KwaZulu-Natal respectively.

Talk to him about healing and attaining spiritual balance.

087 11 00 555.

vvomkhize@umsamo.org.za  

In quite a number of universities and institutions of learning in and outside South Africa or Africa, there is a mushroom of establishments known as centers for African Studies. These centers are existing mostly in the Western and Northern countries, but quite few in African universities. These institutions are more of being ‘Centers of curiosity’ about Africa or African Wisdom rather than to fulfill the purpose of education and preservation of African indigenous knowledge and wisdom. Umsamo African Institution is part of a Dream that came to the founder three years ago. But before launching it, there had to be some ancestral rituals and initiation to be finalized. It is part of an honour, gift and a call, which the founder had to accept, as part of 'spiritual beingness' The “Umsamo African Institute” is established with an intention of becoming a national and international recognized centre for African Wisdom and Spirit, a home of African ancestral wisdom.​

The Institute's Two-Fold Focus

Primary Focus

Introduce an attempt of trying to re-awaken a debate on the application of our own African Philosophies in the management of our business and organizations. This is to focus on philosophical and indigenous issues drawn on African Southern Thinking and the wisdom of the ancestors. Enhancements of a collective buy-in of employees from a pretty empowered and motivated mindset and engender a genuine sense that their inputs matters. Underlining a gender-sensitive leadership style in which both the male (uSokhaya) and female (umama) pillars of the family share responsibility and lead from position of equality and mutual respect. Usage of the Four Pillars of Umsamo in the creation of African Positive Organizations that will be able to compete in the Global market through its unique African Philosophy. Introduction of an opportunity in the corporate world and in South Africa, in particular, to learn leadership and managerial insights from the Philosophy of Umsamo® and in the process help strengthen our organizations and enhance their long term sustainability. Introduction of the challenge to the corporate South African to embark on ‘the return-to-the-source conversation’ Sharing of some fascinating thoughts about politics of gender in the corporate world.

Secondary Focus

Educational Training/Teaching on Indigenous/African Values and Beliefs to our young people. Research and Information center. Developmental and actualization of the African Identity and Wisdom. Promotion of our own traditional and indigenous values and knowledge. Promotion of the African culture, in its totality

The Main Objectives are

Business Objectives 

  • The revisiting of the philosophies and belief systems that have been with us in Africa, if these can help us do better in the world of business and people-centred leadership.
  • Marking a new chapter in the ongoing African management model’s conversation pioneered by other scholars in African Management such as Mbigi , Benedel and Khoza.
  • Endangering and reviving the rapidly dying spirit of collective and integrated leadership which is the bedrock of creating a positive and engaging organisations.
  • Creation of a better, happy and sustainable workplace for all – substituting the cold texture of managerial leadership in the corporate world with the warm and all-inclusive ethos of ikhaya.
  • Embrace Umsamo philosophy as wisdom that we owe to our employees, customers and suppliers in the companies we manage today. The wisdom that will deepen our expertise and make our companies much more competitive positive and unique in relation to the global village in the twenty-first century.

Community Objectives

  • Promotion of African Wisdom/ Knowledge and Spirit in its Totality in our business management.
  • Consider the philosophy of umsamo as a possible paradigm for returning to the centre and fortifying it so that it withstands all the storms, trials and tribulations of the increasingly competitive and harsh marketplace.
  • Engagement of youth/students in the appreciation of African Values and Knowledge.
  • Driving clear understanding of our Traditional norms, where they come from, and their values and purpose e.g. various cultural practices. E.g. Lobola.
  • Creating pride from ourselves as Africans.
  • Understand African religions, Concepts and their values into our lives.
  • Teach about the Wisdom of the ancestors, their language and operations.

Dr VVO Mkhize on youtube with umsamo