Southern African Journal of Social Work and Social Development

Structural Inequalities in Namibia and South Africa: A Critical Social Work Perspective

2024-05-28T09:40:05+00:00

Namibia and South Africa share land and maritime borders and the interrelated structural challenges of poverty and socio-economic inequalities amidst progressive economic growth that are rooted in their apartheid past and contemporary economic development trajectories. Such inequalities are defined along racial, class, gender and other social locations that either grant privilege, power and access to socio-economic opportunities or result in marginalisation, oppression and resource deprivation. The rationale for this article is linked to the historic call for social work to intensify efforts in promoting social and economic equality. Despite Namibia and South Africa’s geographical proximity and their intertwined histories, there is a dearth of social work studies that offer a comparative critical social work perspective on structural inequalities in these former apartheid strongholds. While social work should actively engage in contesting the structural contradictions of poverty and inequalities amidst abundant resources, the reality is often that of the uncritical acceptance of existing socio-political inequalities, such that the profession’s enunciated commitment to social justice becomes perimetric. Thus, the article argues for the inclusion of critical social work approaches in social work education and practice against a backdrop of ideological divides, political trends and contextual factors that limit social workers’ critical and structural level engagement.

Navigating Life after Imprisonment: The Experiences of Elderly Parolees Transitioning Back to Communities in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality

2024-01-16T08:17:05+00:00

The study explored the perceptions and experiences of elderly parolees transitioning back to the community. The study sample comprised 15 elderly parolees selected through purposive sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview guides. The study was situated in Durban Community Corrections, a reintegration centre under the Durban Management Area in the KwaZulu-Natal province. The study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of elderly parolees’ experiences of transitioning from prison to the community. This study reveals that even though participants experienced loss of independence, family ties and identity, chronic health problems, and discrimination, they were able to desist from criminal activities, received religious support, and obtained short-term employment opportunities. The study concludes by proffering recommendations for the Department of Correctional Services, programme developers, coordinators, planners, social workers, as well as managers of community correctional centres who are responsible for ensuring that parolees continue to receive effective services after release from a correctional centre.

Understanding the Perceptions of IsiXhosa-Speaking Caregivers on Disclosing Child Sexual Abuse in the Western Cape, South Africa

2024-01-31T17:23:02+00:00

The disclosure of child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major concern in South Africa. Previous research has emphasised the need to consider cultural norms, beliefs, religion, race and gender-specific characteristics when researching CSA disclosure. This study sought to explore the perceptions of isiXhosa-speaking caregivers in Kayamandi, Western Cape, South Africa, about the disclosure of CSA. A qualitative exploratory approach was used to select 10 caregivers using purposive and snowball sampling strategies. The data was collected by conducting individual face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. The data collected was carefully recorded and categorised. Four key themes emerged, namely: IsiXhosa-speaking caregivers’ understanding of CSA; contributing factors for CSA; contrasting expectations and behaviour in caregiver disclosure of CSA; and actions and interventions to encourage disclosure of CSA to authorities. Data analysis demonstrated a complex interplay of personal, contextual and behavioural elements that influence the perceptions of isiXhosa-speaking caregivers. It is recommended that inclusive interventions be implemented to improve caregivers’ responses to the disclosure of CSA while prioritising cultural sensitivities, thus creating a supportive environment conducive to intervention and prevention.

Professional Boundaries in Working with Young People: The Perspectives of Child and Youth Care Workers in Durban, South Africa

2023-09-28T11:12:29+00:00

Professional boundaries are a set of guidelines, expectations and rules that set the ethical and technical standards between the child and youth care workers (CYCWs) and young people. Professional boundaries are important to establish and maintain, as they assist to build the therapeutic relationship between the professional worker and client. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the perspectives of CYCWs in relation to professional boundaries in residential child and youth care centres (CYCCs) in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. To achieve this aim, the study was guided by a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design. A purposive sampling technique was employed, and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 14 CYCWs. The analysis suggests that, while CYCCs have developed professional boundaries, there remains a great need for the provision of clear rules and regulations about professional boundaries, and life-long training (in-service professional development) focused on boundaries and support from management.

Nexus between Faith and Therapeutic Interventions in the Rehabilitation of Offenders: A Case Study of the Muslim Minority Community in South Africa

2024-05-28T09:40:07+00:00

Throughout history, religion has been known to play an important role in regulating behaviour contributing to social order. It provides a moral foundation based on religious values and norms that prescribe and proscribe behaviour. Despite such a role, religion has been subjected to secular forms of social control through enacted rules for appropriate behaviour in society. Deviations from such rules are subject to prosecution and, in many instances, incarceration in correctional centres. In an attempt to rehabilitate the offender, both faith-based and secular therapeutic programmes are important aspects of rehabilitation. While this article briefly addresses secular intervention programmes, it focuses on how faith-based approaches can support and collaborate with other helping professions in promoting prosocial behaviour of offenders. The study draws on the experiences of other minority Muslims communities in the northern hemisphere, who have engaged with faith-based programmes in correctional centres. The case of the South Africa Muslim chaplaincy is presented to examine its nature, scope, and programmes offered to offenders in South African correctional centres. The study concludes that there is a space for faith-based approaches to be interfaced with and integrated in therapeutic programmes.

Burnout amongst Generalist and Forensic Social Workers: A Comparative Study

2024-05-28T09:39:56+00:00

Forensic social work poses obstacles that can increase the risk of burnout among practitioners. Prior research studies have explored burnout among generalist social workers; however, there is a noticeable deficiency in the literature regarding burnout among forensic social workers, as well as the absence of comparisons between these two professions to discern variations in burnout patterns. The aim of this study was to compare burnout patterns among generalist and forensic social workers using a quantitative approach and a comparison group design. Qualified generalist and forensic social workers from an accredited South African university participated in an all-inclusive willing participation sample approach. The study found that, while both groups had moderate degrees of emotional exhaustion, forensic social workers experienced higher levels. There were also significant disparities in depersonalisation, with forensic social workers suggesting higher levels. This study contributes to understanding burnout patterns in forensic social workers, highlighting the need for targeted efforts to mitigate their effects.

Exploring Trauma-Related Social Work Practice in a Resource-Limited Context: Insights from Social Workers in the Waterberg District, South Africa

2023-10-04T01:48:20+00:00

This qualitative study explored the challenges faced by social workers delivering trauma-related services (TRS) in the resource-limited Waterberg District, Limpopo, South Africa. Using a phenomenological design guided by the ecosystem and trauma-informed perspectives, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 experienced social workers. Data analysis followed Tesch’s eight steps, with data verification per Lincoln and Guba’s model. The findings highlighted the need for trauma-informed organisational structures and workforce support in the Waterberg District, advocating for integrating trauma-informed principles into policies and procedures to enhance professional effectiveness and capacity for service delivery to trauma victims. The findings further underscored the urgent necessity for improved training and education for social workers to tackle issues related to trauma adeptly.

Experiences of Child and Youth Care Workers in Managing Challenging Behaviours of Young People in Residential Care in South Africa

2023-10-04T01:10:14+00:00

Managing the behaviour of young people is one of the critical roles of child and youth care workers working in child and youth care centres. However, these child and youth care workers have been found to be facing numerous challenges in their line of work which make it difficult to effectively provide behavioural interventions to young people in their care. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of child and youth care workers when dealing with challenging behaviours of young people in residential care in eThekwini, South Africa. This study followed an exploratory research design that employed a qualitative research methodology. Three child and youth care centres were selected through purposive sampling from a population of such centres located in the eThekwini region in South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results of thematic analysis indicate that child and youth care workers do experience difficulties in managing children’s challenging behaviour, viz. (1) experiences of working with young people; (2) insufficient supervision and support; (3) conflicts of behavioural intervention strategies; and (4) limited resources to support behavioural change in young people. Understanding these experiences is crucial for developing empowerment programmes (including strategies for countering the challenges) for child and youth care workers, which will ensure that young people receive comprehensive, optimal care. Support could include empowering child and youth care workers with skills and knowledge as well as the essential resources to effectively provide behavioural intervention for the young people in their care.

Teacher Intervention Strategies on Reducing Youth Violent Behaviour in One Historically Disadvantaged School: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach

2024-01-16T07:28:59+00:00

Youth violence, particularly learner-to-learner violence in South African schools, has significantly impacted on teachers, leading to increased stress and burnout. Consequently, there is a pressing need to devise strategies to address school violence. This study aimed to examine teachers’ perspectives on a multi-disciplinary approach intervention strategy aimed at reducing youth violent behaviour, particularly in a chosen high school in the Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo province, South Africa. The sample consisted of nine teachers and one school principal who participated in this study. Unstructured interviews were used to gather the data, and thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. The key finding reveals the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach in fostering safer learning environments in a historically disadvantaged school. The study recommends collaboration between the Department of Basic Education and the National Youth Development Agency to develop a social and emotional learning programme. This social and emotional learning programme will help to equip learners to manage emotions effectively, particularly in conflict situations, thus mitigating the inclination towards physical violence.

The Professionalisation of Child and Youth Care: Perspectives of Child and Youth Care Workers in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2023-05-05T06:30:04+00:00

The professionalisation of child and youth care (CYC) has long been an important milestone for the profession. This article will further add to the voices of child and youth care workers (CYCWs) about this process. It focuses on and explores the perspectives of CYCWs in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, on the process of CYC professionalisation. The researchers conducted an in-depth qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 12 purposely selected CYCWs from different children’s homes in eThekwini. Their perspectives showed that there is still a lack of understanding of the concept and that there are aspects of CYC professionalisation that still have not been achieved while others have. The research findings revealed that the process of CYC professionalisation is important for the growth, status, and continuous stability of the CYC profession. The researchers concluded that the research findings highlighted will offer important insight for the stabilisation of the CYC profession.