Distancing, Nje (Nothing Social)

The history of social distancing and its association with stopping the spread of viral infections dates back to medieval times, for back then health officials did not understand viruses very well (this is in the 14th Century), but they knew that keeping the distance and disinfecting worked.

“They knew that you had to be very careful with goods that are being traded, because the disease could be spread on objects and surfaces, and that you tried your best to limit person-to-person contact,” says Jane Stevens Crawshaw, a senior lecturer in early modern European history at Oxford Brookes University. (www.history.com)

This article, is not so much about about preventing the spread of the virus, it is about distancing, nje, as the title suggests. In most of the Nguni languages, specifically in isiZulu and isiXhosa, nje means just, as depicted in the interview below (which I found to be hilarious). Thando, the musician, explains that her name does not have a suffix to it that explains it further, like Thandolwethu, Thandokuhle and more.

So, what is distance nje?- and why do I say there is nothing social about it?

With the emergence of social (and business) media and platforms, including the age-old telephone, it is possible to achieve social intimacy, without closing one bit, the physical distance between human beings that are legitimately scared of even the slightest form of physical contact; certainly no hugs and no handshakes and resorting to touching with the foot or elbow as a form of physical distancing. It is for that reason that I believe, it is just physical distancing that is required to stop the virus in its tracks, as it literally moves from one person to the next.

Is it really appropriate then to refer to it as social distancing, even though it is possible to socialise and even conduct elaborate business interaction, online?- I believe that it is a misnomer to refer to it as social distancing, rather refer to it as distancing, nje for that is what it is. Maybe, for clarity, we can call it physical distancing, for that is what it is.

So, in short, practice physical distancing without losing the social intimacy on which all human relationships depend, whether it be at home, village, town, metro or district. This is very true for all sectors of society: business, public & political, non-profit and the co-operative sectors.

This blog article appeared on the Nyuzi Coach blog as well and I can be followed on twitter at https://www.twitter.com/goodnews_cado and on https://www.twitter.com/coachcadogan

We work with large and medium sized organisations, senior executives in companies, as well as those who play a leading role in other sectors of society, are our coaching clients. We make it easy for our clients by deciphering the code that hides their world of leadership, from hazy view to clarity that makes way for clarity of leadership and followership.

Our work with families, legacy families that are concerned with the sustainability of generations that come beyond the current era, come to us to work with how that constellation can be shaped, intentionally.

On the other hand, over and above all this, we work with organisation constellations for the same purpose: to intentionally create futures that support sustainability, in the most clear way, for the benefit of critical stakeholders, more than just shareholders.