World Social Work Day: Learning from one another for a better future

This year’s focus for World Social Work Day, which is celebrated annually on 18 March, is “Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing”. This theme talks to the need for people to work closer together, across generations, towards a thriving economy and society. 

The Western Cape Government is a firm believer in the whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach when it comes to addressing social issues. Social workers play a crucial role in this mission, and while we celebrate them and the work they do 365 days a year, today we especially highlight their invaluable contribution to community-building.

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) employs over 1100 social work professionals at different levels, such as social workers, social auxiliary workers, supervisors, managers, and social work policy developers. There are also social workers in other departments such as Health and Wellness and Education.

Social workers support individuals and families to navigate challenges, and by assessing their needs and finding ways to improve their wellbeing, whether through counselling or referrals to an organisation.

Nazo Ndungane says she became a social worker because she loves children and wanted a career where she could help them, “I am from a village and seeing the lack of services in our villages made me quite passionate about giving back to our communities, specifically to children.”

Sivuyile Mtlaka has been a social worker for nearly three decades and he is now an acting social work manager. He says the job is all about changing people’s lives. “If a child for example is placed in foster care and at a later stage you see that child has become a professional, starting a career that they love, that is actually what is fulfilling about our job, when you see the outcome of where you started and the end result.”

DSD also funds or subsidises over 1200 posts for social service professionals on varying levels at Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs).

Nyameka Mzamo, a Social Work Manager at Project Playground, a day care centre for children and youth with disabilities, has a message for those wishing to go into social work, “Go for it. It opens so many doors and so many vulnerable populations in our nation need your expertise and dedication. No one can practice social work the way you will because through social work, you will be living out and re-writing your own story and through that, doing the same for others!"

Provincial Minister Jaco Londt said, “Social workers are vital to building healthy, functioning societies. I will continue advocating for them to be considered an essential worker just like nurses and doctors. Without social workers who will go into communities to safeguard a child that has been neglected or abused, or an elderly person in need of protection? But they are not only there for the vulnerable, but also to strengthen families and communities from the ground up. Their work is invaluable and necessary in a time where the demand for social services is increasing.”

He added, “I encourage residents that when you see a social worker in your neighbourhood, please be kind and patient. Too often DSD staff – especially those who have to go to homes and intervene in cases of alleged abuse – are threatened or assaulted simply for doing their jobs. But we have amazing community members working with our staff as well, such as the Gender-Based Violence ambassadors and community workers, and to these special people I say thank you for strengthening the hand of our department!”

To access more information about services offered by the Department, call our toll-free number on 0800 220 250, send an email to SD.CustomerCare@westerncape.gov.za  or visit the department’s website: Homepage SD | Western Cape Government