UKZN’s School of Social Sciences Celebrates World Social Work Day

To commemorate this year’s World Social Work Day, the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Discipline of Social Work hosted a gathering to celebrate the role played by social workers within society.

The celebration was held at the Howard College campus and featured an extensive programme, including entertainment items by students from within the discipline. Dr Siphiwe Motloung, Academic Leader for the discipline of social work, welcomed attendees and spoke about the importance of understanding the role social workers play in fostering unity within a divided society. This aligned with the theme of this year’s World Social Work Day, ‘Co-building Hope and Harmony: A Harambe Call to Unite a Divided Society’.

In his opening remarks, Professor Federico Settler, Dean and Head of the School of Social Sciences, commended the Discipline for its work both within the University and in broader society. He congratulated the social work programme for its recognition for leadership in decolonising and Africanising social work nationally. He also encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities available to them, citing active partnerships the University has with international institutions.

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Rozena Maart, the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair on The National Question. In her address, Professor Maart emphasised the importance of understanding the value of community.

She highlighted that restoring hope and harmony in a divided society begins with recognising that we are shaped by where we come from. She noted that social work is a field built on restoring the hope, dignity, and resilience of communities, and encouraged students to carry this with them throughout their careers. Challenging the culture of individualism, she stated that it is not an innate part of our identity: “Our identity is born from the ‘we are’, not ‘I am’,” she said.

Offering remarks from an alumni perspective, Ms Sithabile Mtolo, a UKZN graduate and registered social worker, reflected on her work supporting and restoring hope among patients living with cancer. She highlighted that the field is multi-dimensional, with a need for social workers across many areas of society, and encouraged students to find their niche within the field. She also encouraged aspiring social workers in attendance to remain committed to the profession. Most importantly, she served as a source of inspiration for the aspiring social workers in attendance.

The programme also included remarks from Ms Audrey Lamula of the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP), who noted that achieving hope and harmony in practical terms requires addressing the social issues that continue to affect communities. Speaking on behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, Mr Bheki Zondi congratulated UKZN for being a point of reference for social workers in South Africa.

Representatives from the UKZN Ma’at Institute, UKZNCORE, the UKZN Social Work Student Association, and the Giving Initiative Non-Profit Organisation also shared information about their work. They brought the theme to life through lived experiences, offering practical examples of what building hope and harmony looks like. These included student units in local primary schools providing social work support, the development of community centres, awarding scholarships and ongoing advocacy for social change and social justice.

Professor Sibonisile Zibane, Associate Professor within the Discipline, delivered the vote of thanks and highlighted the importance of collective effort in achieving hope and harmony.

The final segment of the programme was a silent march to the social work tree, led by Dr Maud Mthembu, senior lecturer within the Discipline. This symbolic moment stood out as a powerful reflection of the day’s theme. Students from each year of the programme watered the tree as a pledge to always nurture themselves, those around them, and the environment.

“During our planning as a team, I envisioned how the theme of ‘Hope and Harmony’ could be practically lived out in our South African context. With so many social work graduates facing unemployment, it was important for us to create a space where hope (through our guest speakers) could be restored and where our students could reconnect with the belief that their training still carries value and purpose,” shared Dr Nolwazi Ngcobo, senior lecturer within the Discipline and one of the event organisers.

Words: Sinenhlanhla Mkhwanazi

Photographs: Albert Hirasen