Social Work / Maatskaplike Werk (E-Journal)
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THE CHALLENGE TO PROMOTE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EQUALITY IN NAMIBIA THROUGH SOCIAL WORK
Get PDFSocial work is called upon by the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development to promote a more just society. Social welfare services in Namibia are not aligned with the country’s vision to significantly reduce inequalities by 2030. The absence of a legislative mandate is key to social work’s challenge to shift from a focus on primarily psycho-social service delivery to engaging in social and economic justice issues. It is recommended that the Namibian government formalise its adoption of a developmental social welfare policy in order to create an enabling environment for social work to promote social and economic equalit
TEENAGERS’ SEXUAL ACTIVITIES ON SCHOOL GROUNDS: A NEED FOR SOCIAL WORK SUPPORT
Get PDFThis article describes the experiences of teenagers who engaged in sexual activities on school grounds and their need for social work support. The findings were derived from qualitative research done as part of one of a Master’s study and was based on ten semi-structured interviews with high school learners in Gauteng province. Findings indicate that sexual activities are either planned or happen spontaneously in various school areas and during different periods. A variety of factors influence teenagers’ decision to have sex at school. The participants, who were aware of the consequences of their behaviour identified a need for social work intervention at school
Editorial
Get PDFThe articles in this issue capture challenges related to child welfare services, mothers, foreign social workers and vulnerable people
THE ORDEAL OF “PROPERTY STRIPPING” FROM WIDOWS IN A PERI-URBAN COMMUNITY: THE CASE OF A SELECTED WARD IN BINGA DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE
Get PDFThe death of a husband is a common traumatic experience for widows in Zimbabwean communities. This paper discusses widows’ experiences of property stripping in a peri-urban community of Sikalenge Ward, Binga District in Matabeleland North in Zimbabwe. It is a qualitative research study. Participants were key informants about social service provision for widows who had been stripped of property upon the death of their spouses. Thematic data analysis showed that widows suffer social exclusion and marginalisation upon the death of their partners. This article aims at supplementing the theoretical knowledge of social work practitioners and suggests concrete interventions in addressing this plight of Zimbabwean widows
EXPLORING THE VIEWS OF HEALTH CARE SERVICE PROVIDERS ON LIFE STRESSORS AND BASIC NEEDS OF HIV-POSITIVE MOTHERS IN RURAL AREAS OF LESOTHO
Get PDFThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) ranks as one of the deadliest viruses in the world. The second highest incidence of the virus has been recorded in Lesotho, where women and children are the most infected and affected. This article explores and describes views of health-care service providers on the life stressors experienced by HIV-positive mothers living in the rural areas of Lesotho and how their basic needs are met. Recommendations are made on how health-care service providers and the government can address the life stressors and basic needs of these mother
THE PERCEPTIONS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS REGARDING THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN ENHANCING SOCIAL CAPITAL IN METROPOLITAN AREAS TO MANAGE HIV AND AIDS
Get PDFSocial welfare policies mandate social workers to build social capital in order to, amongst other things, manage the impact of HIV and AIDS on communities. However, the views of community members residing in metropolitan areas about the roles that social worker could perform in enhancing social capital to manage HIV and AIDS are inadequately described. One comprehensive focus group discussion was conducted with 10 community members representing four NPOs involved in HIV and AIDS work across the Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni Metros. Recommendations are made to social workers to enhance social capital, and guidelines and strategies offered to fulfil this obligation through developmental social work
EXPERIENCES AND CHALLENGES RELATED TO RESIDENTIAL CARE AND THE EXPRESSION OF CULTURAL IDENTITY OF ADOLESCENT BOYS AT A CHILD AND YOUTH CARE CENTRE (CYCC) IN JOHANNESBURG
Get PDFvictims of abuse, neglect and abandonment in South Africa. However, professionals in these settings face a dilemma, as they often cannot accommodate every child’s cultural needs. This study explored the cultural challenges experienced by adolescent boys living at a CYCC in Ekurhuleni. Findings indicate that CYCCs are doing an excellent job at ensuring a nurturing environment for the children. However, it also emerged that there are challenges related to preserving the culture of children as a result of constraints of resources and limited staff diversity
REFLECTIONS OF SOCIAL WORKERS ON THE EXPERIENCES OF PREGNANT TEENAGERS DURING GROUP WORK SESSIONS
Get PDFThis paper focuses on the reflections of 12 social workers, based on group sessions held with pregnant teenagers in the Capricorn district, Limpopo Province. The burden of caring for pregnant teenagers and their children falls on their families and the state, while men, young and old, are not held responsible. Although some of the literature pertaining to the health sector does not recognise or acknowledge social work, the multifaceted challenges facing teenagers, including the prevention of repeat pregnancies during adolescence call for a multidisciplinary and inter-sectoral approach to support these young women. Future research should focus on, among other things, developing resilience among teenagers
CONCEPTUALISING A PROPOSED SUPPORT STRATEGY FOR SEXUALLY ABUSED BOYS IN MIDDLE CHILDHOOD
Get PDFMale child sexual abuse in middle childhood has serious effects with the increased risk of development of various mental illnesses and disorders, as well as extreme forms of emotional and behavioural problems. This study conceptualises a proposed support strategy for sexually abused boys in their middle childhood placed in a clinic school. The proposed support strategy involves three main facets, namely the strengthening of the sexually abused boy as an individual; sustaining a deep, trusting relationship; and the facilitation of a sustainable supportive context for these boy
THE LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIV-POSITIVE WOMEN: THE CASE OF MAGUNJE TOWNSHIP, ZIMBABWE
Get PDFThe increasing levels of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in sub-Saharan Africa have seen more women being infected by HIV. This article explores the interplay between culture, HIV transmission and disclosure experiences. The setting for the study was Magunje, a rural village in Zimbabwe. Using a semi-structured interview schedule, the interviews were conducted with women living with HIV/AIDS. It emerged that culture condones male promiscuity, since virility is judged by the number of partners that men have, while women face many challenges with regards to disclosure