The origins of social and economic development in Zimbabwe — Lessons for social work education and training

Abstract

The article examines social and economic development in pre- and post-colonial Zimbabwe. Before present day Zimbabwe, the economic development of the Mutapa, Torwa, Rozvi and Ndebele States was based on cattle wealth and farming with significant gold mining as methods of fostering social economic development. They traded internally and externally. They exported gold, ivory, and copper for luxury goods and war goods. These precolonial states had their social structures bound by Ubuntu philosophy. The paper argues that social workers should be given the opportunity to appreciate the genesis of socio-economic development within social, economic and political structures. The article uses literature review methodology to explore and analyse origins of socio-economic development in pre and post-colonial Zimbabwe. The literature includes peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters. The study recommends integration of more economic development in social work curricula and that policy makers should have an understanding of social work roles in socio-economic development.