Social Work / Maatskaplike Werk (E-Journal)
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CO-BUILDING INCLUSIVE SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Full text linkThe demands made by a rapidly changing society are embodied in persistent issues such as inequality, poverty, hunger, conflict and displacements, all exacerbated by climate change and its impacts. This reflects a world in crisis. Social work, committed to social justice and human rights for all, is at the forefront of social transformation. The International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) strives to enhance the visibility of social work as a global actor in building an inclusive, just, peaceful and sustainable society. Realising this vision requires multi-level partnerships at the international, regional and local levels, facilitated by social work educators and practitioners, in collaboration with marginalised individuals and communities who are disproportionally affected by social and economic exclusion and environmental injustices
FOCUS ON COMMUNITIES AND NOT PROJECTS: CHALLENGES FACED BY DEVELOPMENT CENTRES IN ATTAINING SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS IN TSHWANE, SOUTH AFRICA
Full text linkCommunity development interventions are welcomed in communities; however, their sustainability is often questioned. The goal of this study was to explore and describe the challenges faced in the development of community interventions by the development centres in the Tshwane region, Gauteng province, South Africa. The research study adopted a qualitative research approach. A non-probability sample was chosen, utilising a purposive sampling technique to select participants. The raw data were analysed and interpreted according to the eight steps outlined by Tesch. The article argues that top-down interventionscan create dependency and hinder communities from achieving sustainability and self-reliance. More emphasis should be placed on facilitating a process in which community members take charge of their assets and strengths to mobilise local solutions and improve inward functioning
ISIZULU-SPEAKING CAREGIVERS’ PERCEPTIONS ON DISCLOSING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Full text linkChild sexual abuse affects children and caregivers all around the world. According to the South African Police Service’s (2020/21) crime statistics report, child sexual abuse is common in South Africa, particularly the township of Tsakane. Tsakane, located in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, is predominantly comprised of IsiZulu-speaking residents and has a significant child sexual abuse problem. Child sexual abuse may be perceived differently by IsiZulu-speaking caregivers than by other cultural groups and hence a qualitative study was carried out to explore this phenomenon. The study employed an exploratory design and semi-structured individual interviews. Thematic content analysis was conducted in analysing the data. The findings revealed that isiZulu caregivers in Tsakane are hesitant to report incidences of child sexual abuse because of cultural, environmental and psychological cost factors. This means that socialwork should address child sexual abuse in a comprehensive, culturally sensitive and community-focused manner
XHOSA CULTURAL ATTITUDES IN RELATION TO ADOPTION
Full text linkXhosa culture has a strong aversion to breaking familial relationships by placing children in non-parental settings or orphanages, which may lead to limited legal adoption procedures in this cultural context. Their cultural values may also have a significant impact on the adoption process. This study, conducted in Mthatha in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, sought to describe Xhosa cultural attitudes in relation to adoption. The article used a two-pronged sampling approach, combining convenience sampling to easily access respondents and purposeful sampling to deliberately select individuals who met specific criteria relevant to the research objectives, using a cross-sectional descriptive design and a quantitative approach. A closed-ended paper-based questionnaire was used to assess the attitudes of the population to adoption. Descriptive statistics and mean scores were used to analyse the variable distribution and associated demographic characteristics. The article indicated a markedly positive attitude towards adoption among the Xhosa in Mthatha
CONSTRUCTION AND EXPRESSION OF COMMITMENT IN COHABITATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Full text linkCohabitation is often misconstrued as consisting of a relationship characterised by a low level of commitment. However, commitment in cohabitation is multidimensional, as it allows a couple to demonstrate their love in different ways, without necessarily conforming to a particular traditional formality. It is a private and personal commitment between the cohabiting partners concerned, founded on principles of trust. The current study suggests that commitment in heterosexual cohabitation is closely aligned with the couple’s intentions. Through the lenses of commitment and symbolic interactionist theories, this article explored how cohabitees construct and express commitment in their relationship. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study involved 21 purposively selected heterosexual cohabitees who are involved in a monogamous relationship. Data were generated through conducting semi-structured face-to-face interviews, using open-ended questions contained in an interview guide which were subsequently analysed thematically. Principles of credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability were adhered to throughout the research process
POLICYMAKING IN FAVOUR OF WOMEN: LEARNING FROM THE GENDERED IMPACT OF COVID-19, WITH A FOCUS ON SOUTH AFRICA
Full text linkRealisation of women’s full participation in all spheres of society remains inconsistent and progress towards gender equality is slow. The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare existing and deeply entrenched gender inequalities. In this article, we draw on multiple HSRC-led studies conducted between 2020 and 2022 that explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on the psychosocial and economic wellbeing of women and their families. We show that many women at the community and household level took up the majority share of unpaid household and childcare duties, and faced persistent socio-economic threats, gender-based violence and increased mental health concerns compared to their male counterparts – all of which impeded their ability to lead productive and fulfilling lives. Insights are offered for intersectional gender-responsive policy responses that favour women as central role players in families and the economy
FOSTERING TRIPARTITE PARTNERSHIPS IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE CRITICAL ROLE OF COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN SOCIAL WORK TRAINING INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE WELFARE SECTORS
Full text linkThe necessity of collaboration and partnership among key stakeholders in advancing the social work profession in South Africa is evident. Accordingly, the development of formal communication structures between social work training institutions and public-private welfare sectors is strongly encouraged. Initiatives such as joint task teams, working groups, or advisory committees should be established to facilitate streamlined collaboration and partnerships, thereby enhancing the design and delivery of social service programmes. The collaboration of all three key stakeholders is crucial to establishing an effective and efficient social welfare and social work system that responds appropriately to the contextual needs of South Africa. Strengthening and fostering the proposed tripartite collaboration is indispensable for advancing social work research and education, shaping and analysing social policy, and improving social work practice to maximise its societal impact
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FOOD INSECURITY, THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT AND CHILDCARE ARRANGEMENTS
Full text linkFood insecurity is endemic in South Africa because of high levels of poverty. Children in foodinsecure households may be exposed to childcare instabilities. However, the role of social protection in mediating the relationship between food insecurity and childcare arrangements is not well understood. This study explored the relationship between food insecurity, childcare arrangements and the child support grant (CSG) in a township in Cape Town. The study designwas mixed-methods; a hunger scale was administered to 120 participants and in-depth interviews conducted with 23 primary caregivers of children under 2 years of age. The findings indicated that despite being food insecure, many households had stable childcare arrangements, presumably because of the CSG and the age of the children at the time of the study. Further research is needed to unpack the relationship between food insecurity, childcare arrangementsand the CSG
EXPERIENCES OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN WORKING WITH HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM APPROACH
Full text linkThis article uses role theory as a lens to explain the experiences of social workers working within healthcare multidisciplinary teams, which are characterised by interprofessional dominance and subordination. A qualitative case study design was used to explore and describe the experiences of social workers in working with other healthcare practitioners in multidisciplinary teams. A purposeful sampling technique was used to select sixteen participants from a particular health district. Data were collected through interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Professional power dynamics, a sense of agency with a need for collaborative contribution, and a lack of understanding of the social work profession are three themes that summarise the findings. The article concludes that the ineffective management of multidisciplinary themes creates a barrier to different professionals’ ability to communicate, work and learn together. The article recommends preparatory training for multidisciplinary team members and the need for a structured framework for interprofessional engagement
AN INTEGRATED INDICATOR FRAMEWORK TO PROMOTE CHILD WELL-BEING IN NAMIBIA
Full text linkNamibia has adopted several policies, pieces of legislation and programmes aimed at improving the well-being of children. However, the Namibian National Policy on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) of 2004 no longer adequately reflects the contemporary problems faced by vulnerable children. Policy makers require a comprehensive and integrated set of indicators to inform policy revision to make informed choices. This article reviewed national and international child protection reports, evaluation studies and indices to identify contemporary indicators for tracking child well-being in Namibia. It found that while the available indicators reflect objective well-being measures, there is a gap in tracking the subjective experiences of children, child safety and the promotion of children’s rights. The article offers an alternative integrated indicator framework that captures multiple dimensions of child well-being. Adoption of this framework can enable policy makers to make more informed decisions to support vulnerable children