Social Work / Maatskaplike Werk (E-Journal)
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UNHELPFUL HELP: THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION’S RESPONSE TO MASS POVERTY IN SOUTH AFRICA
Get PDFThis article begins by describing poverty in South Africa, examining systemic responses to it, and reflecting upon social work’s role in poverty alleviation. In so doing, it takes a brief historical detour to trace social work’s roots in South Africa, showing that from its inception the profession has been hard pressed to find meaningful solutions to poverty, and make a significant impact on poverty eradication in South Africa. Since social work has always been intimately tied to social welfare, it has been prone to political manipulation, despite its social justice value base. Social work in South Africa drew on foreign theories and models of practice that did not necessarily acknowledge or take into account diverse local realities and indigenous practices (Gray, 2003; Gray & Allegritti, 2002; Gray & Allegritti, 2003; Osei-Hwedie, 2002). Sixteen years after democracy these imperialistic influences (Midgley, 1981) continue to have a profound impact on social work education and practice in South Africa. As a result, social work does little more than manage and maintain poverty at “acceptable” levels instead of constructively contributing to its eradication. The profession has largely failed to adopt a proactive, structural focus in the training of students and the implementation of poverty-alleviation interventions. Instead reactive, ameliorative, remedial and curative approaches that prevent the profession from contributing significantly to the alleviation of mass poverty in South Africa are followed
PROTECTING CHILD WITNESSES: NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS
Get PDFSocial workers often work with child clients who need to give evidence in court. Unfortunately these children are vulnerable to secondary systemic abuse. Feelings of intimidation at court may also adversely affect the accuracy of their evidence, leading to an inappropriate outcome (Hall, 2009; Muller & Van der Merwe, 2005). Many countries have therefore introduced technology-based protective measures to reduce the stress experienced by child witnesses. These include pre-recorded evidence, separate-venue testimony with a video link, and intermediaries. In South Africa it is important that social workers have a good understanding of the legal framework. They are often in a position to provide pre-court assessments motivating for protective measures. They may also be called upon to give expert evidence in court on whether a particular child requires a separate venue or an intermediary
STUDYING TO BECOME A SOCIAL WORKER: EXAMINING THE MOTIVATIONS OF, AND CHALLENGES FACING, STUDENTS AT AN OPEN DISTANCE-LEARNING UNIVERSITY
Get PDFUnisa represents the only dedicated distance-education institution in South Africa offering open and distance learning to a diverse and changing student population. The student profile reveals a large number mature students and a dramatically increasing number of full-time school leaving students enrolling at this institution. This is because the academic offerings at Unisa are considerably more affordable than those at its counterparts both in the public and private higher education sectors (Unisa 2015 Strategic Plan, 2006:8-10)
IMPLEMENTING A “BLENDED LEARNING APPROACH” IN A SOCIAL WORK COURSE: THE PERCEPTIONS OF FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS AT A SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITY
Get PDFDeep learning is an essential strategy that enables students to extract meaning and understanding from course material and experiences (Warburton, 2003). However, inculcating deep learning may prove challenging for facilitators in higher education in the South African context. Challenges usually arise because first-year students have to manage the difficult transition from high school to university. The difficulties of this transition are exacerbated by the fact that many students come from disadvantaged backgrounds characterised by an unevenly resourced, and sometimes dysfunctional, schooling system (Collins & Van Breda, 2010; Leibowitz, 2010; Ross, 2010:461). Research by Muthivhi and Broom (2008) also reveals that, while the modes of teaching and learning employed by teachers in South Africa are inspired by the new curriculum framework and seem to meet the objectives of outcome-based education (OBE), in reality these modes fail to instil deep learning in learner
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS OF OLDER MEN REGARDING HIV AND AIDS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Get PDFThis article reports on a study done with older men who are affected in many ways by HIV and Aids. The aim of the study was to ascertain the level of knowledge among older men about HIV and Aids, and to what extent daily living has been influenced by the disease. An exploratory design was used for the study, with in-depth interviewing to gain a rich combination of qualitative and quantitative data. Besides providing certain demographic information, participants were interviewed on the impact of general illness in their community, and the impact of HIV and Aids specifically on the individual, the household and the community
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES PERTAINING TO CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WITHIN A TEAM CONTEXT IN CHILD AND YOUTH CARE CENTRES
Get PDFThe focus of this study is on youth care and education centres. These centres were previously known as “schools of industries” and are soon to be renamed “child and youth care centres”. Children and youths are currently referred to these centres via the Children‟s Court in terms of Section 14(4) of the Child Care Act 1983 (Act 74 of 1983) (RSA, 1983). In future the Children‟s Court will refer children and youths in terms of Section 50 of the Children‟s Act 38 of 2005 (RSA, 2005). They can also be referred via the youth court, if the criminal trial is converted into a children‟s court inquiry in terms of Section 254 of the Criminal Procedures Act (Act 51 of 1977) (RSA, 1977 and RSA, 1983). The trial is converted if the magistrate finds extenuating circumstances, in other words, that personal, familial and/or community influences contributed to the child‟s/youth‟s behaviour (RSA, 1977; RSA, 1983). They are referred to the youth care and education centres (YCECs) for a period of two years, but they may be discharged sooner if their progress warrants i
THE ROLE OF INCENTIVES IN RAISING CARE-GIVING PRODUCTIVITY IN BOTSWANA CARE PROGRAMMES AS EXEMPLIFIED IN THE KANYE CARE PROGRAMME
Get PDFCaregivers refers to either the primary caregivers who are the family and informal persons who take care of the sick person all the time; and community caregivers (called volunteers in Botswana) who are the Government recruited volunteer caregivers and move from one house to another to supervise and assist the primary caregivers in their care giving tasks. However, only the primary caregivers formed the research respondents
AANMELDING VAN SEKSUELE MISBRUIK DEUR ADOLESSENTE
Get PDFAs maatskaplike werker in die praktyk, is dit die navorser se ervaring dat kinders wat seksueel misbruik word dit nie aanmeld nie en as gevolg daarvan baie jare lank die slagoffers daarvan bly. Uit die navorser se ervaringsveld wil dit voorkom asof adolessente nie weet hoe hulle te werk moet gaan om die seksuele misbruik aan te meld, of waar hulle die nodige professionele hulp en ondersteuning kan ontvang ni
DIE INVLOED VAN TEATER OP ADOLESSENTE SE ERVARING VAN SELFAANVAARDING, AANVAARDING VAN ANDER EN VAN HUL OMSTANDIGHEDE
Get PDFIn hierdie artikel val die fokus op die ervaring van adolessente in Promosa wat aan die teaterproduksie As die skoen jou pas… deelgeneem het (Combrink, 2007). Die tema van die produksie was aanvaarding. Die doel van die artikel is om die persepsieverandering en persoonlike groei met betrekking tot aanvaarding te bepaal wat moontlik tydens die proses van deelname by die betrokke deelnemers plaasgevind het
THEORIES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION IN THE WORKPLACE
Get PDFWorkplaces have been identified as important structures for the implementation of alcohol abuse prevention programmes (Ames, 1993; Cook & Youngblood, 1990; Gill, 1994; Heirich & Sieck, 2000; Parry & Bennets, 1998; Roman, 1990; Roman & Blum, 2002; Snow, Swan & Wilton, 2002). The need for substance abuse prevention programmes in the workplace has also been recognised by South African authors (Albertyn & McCann, 1993; Parry & Bennetts, 1998; Strydom, 1997). The National Drug Master Plan: 2006-2011 (Department of Social Development, 1997), which directs all substance abuse services in South Africa, has prevention amongst workers as one of its priority areas