The actual process of Ubuntu as used in the Inkundla/Lekgotla forum involved five key stages;
Firstly, after a fact-finding process where the views of victims, perpetrators and witnesses were
heard, the perpetrators if considered to have done wrong would be encouraged, both by the Council
and other community members in the Inkundla/Lekgotla forum, to acknowledge responsibility or
guilt. Secondly, perpetrators would be encouraged to demonstrate genuine remorse or to show a
sign of true repentance. Thirdly, perpetrators would be encouraged to ask for forgiveness and
victims in their turn would be encouraged to show mercy and pardon their offenders. Fourthly,
where possible and at the suggestion of the Council of Elders, perpetrators would be required to
pay an appropriate compensation or reparation for the wrong done. The payments, however, were
not in-kind but a symbolic sign, with the primary function of reinforcing the remorse of the
perpetrators. Finally, the fifth stage would seek to consolidate the whole process by encouraging
the parties to commit themselves to reconciliation (Murithi, 2006b). This process of reconciliation
tended to include, the victim and his or her family members and friends as well as the perpetrator
and his or her family members and friends. Both groups would be encouraged to embrace coexistence
and to work towards healing the broken relationship between them and thus, contribute
towards restoring harmony within the community, vital for ensuring the integrity and viability of
the society.