Social work's contribution to socio-economic development–why, how & who?

Abstract

Real development should be seen as more than just economic growth. Social Workers have important roles in the development of Africa. Mupedziswa, Sewpaul, Lombard, and others have put forward developmental social work as an approach that addresses issues affecting people at the macro level, nipping underdevelopment causal factors in the bud. Developmental social work abandons the reactionary and residual approach to problems. To celebrate Africa Day, the Africa Social Work and Development Network holds annual indabas where social work scholars and practitioners make presentations and discuss identified themes. Answering the questions why, how & why, this article presents one of the presentations delivered at Africa Day Indaba on 25 May 2023 and the ensuing discussion on social work's contribution to the socio-economic development of Africa. The presentation adopted a developmental social work lens