Westerse, meganistiese horlosietyd versus die organiese, natuurlike tydsidee van tradisionele Afrika: Hoe kan die konflik opgelos word?

Western, mechanistic clock-time versus the traditional African organic, natural concept of time: How should this conflict be solved? This article is an effort to resolve the tension and conflict between (traditional) African and (modern) Western concepts of time. In order to do so, the salient characteristics of African and Western concepts about time are explained. Because the way in which time is measured reveals a lot about one’s viewpoint about time, special attention is given to time measurement in both Africa and the West. In the case of the West the historical development and character of mechanical clocks are investigated. The result of the investigation is summarised in a comparative table. The conclusion is that both Western and African perspectives on time are, albeit in different ways, one-sided. They have to be broadened and enriched by an intercultural and Christian-philosophical perspective. Time should neither be our enemy or boss (as in the case of the West) nor are we the masters of time (Africa). Time is a gift of God to be enjoyed, as well as a task we as stewards should use responsibly