Embedding the developmental approach in social work education and practice to overcome poverty: The case of Southern Africa

Abstract

The article examines the extent to which social work education and practice in Eswatini, Lesotho and Zimbabwe has embedded the developmental approach to address the problem of poverty and to bring about socio-economic transformation in these countries. This is particularly significant as social work has gained traction internationally as a problem-solving profession. However, it is argued that that there is a lack of clarity conceptually about how the developmental approach should be operationalised in order to deal with the social problems afflicting African countries in general and Southern Africa in particular. Furthermore the chapter examines challenges in the implementation of the developmental approach in economically fragile contexts such as Eswatini, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. The gaps and constraints in mainstreaming developmental social work are also examined in the context of poverty, globalisation and impacts of natural disasters. Challenges experienced by frontline social workers in mobilising communities through the application of a repertoire of developmental social work approaches have also received attention. The article is based on personal experiences of the authors in teaching and practicing social work in the three countries and this is complemented by reviews and analysis of research studies and policy documents and reports on the mitigation of poverty and the developmental approach. Importantly, the article also offers pathways on the embedment of the developmental approach in social work education and practice to promote the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially the goal relating to the eradication poverty.

A practical study of the main transformations from social welfare to social development in Lesotho: Success factors, challenges and prospects

“…Although Lesotho has formulated the National Social Development Policy, it is evident that for the Ministry to enforce the implementation of a social development approach in all its services, it requires a clear policy that gives formal legitimacy to developmental social work. In relation to this recommendation, with South Africa being the pioneer, more other countries in the Southern African region such as Botswana, Zimbabwe and Eswatini have also introduced social development policies with the intention of transforming into developmental social work (Nhapi and Dhemba, 2020). However, it has also been noted that in some African countries like Kenya, the developmental social work method was not fully implemented because there was no all-inclusive legislation or policy that directly and precisely restricts itself to the developmental social work method (Manyama, 2018).…”

“…However, it has also been noted that in some African countries like Kenya, the developmental social work method was not fully implemented because there was no all-inclusive legislation or policy that directly and precisely restricts itself to the developmental social work method (Manyama, 2018). Social work must be recognised as an important profession by the government of Lesotho and the general public, and the government must be willing to provide moral and financial support if it is to succeed (Nhapi and Dhemba, 2020).…”

“…That means social workers in Lesotho need an active and well-functioning national body that will instil the need for implementing social development either in the form of a National Association or in the form of a National Council. Unlike in other African countries such as Zimbabwe and South Africa which have similar social problems and challenges facing the social work profession, in Lesotho, the National Association for Social Workers is dormant and there is no established council in place (Nhapi and Dhemba, 2020). The social workers' competency and ability to implement developmental social work will make it possible for other professions to realise and appreciate the existence of the profession.…”

“…In line with the current hegemonic notions in social work, its importance is also highlighted in social development policies in many countries such as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa (Dugmore, 2013; Reynaert et al, 2018). Nhapi and Dhemba (2020) indicate that among other outcomes of social development interventions are self-reliance and self-employment.…”

Social work education and practice in Africa: the problems and prospects

“…This education drew on foreign theories and models that did not necessarily acknowledge or take into account the diverse local realities and indigenous practices. Continued over-reliance on remedial or curative interventions from Western societies into the post-colonial era, has proved to be ineffective in addressing poverty and hunger, unemployment and preventable diseases, which continue to exist in the continent (Amadasun, 2021;Nhapi & Dhemba, 2020;Spitzer, 2019).…”