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Mubangizi BC, Gray M. Putting the 'public' into public service delivery for social welfare in South Africa Int J Soc Welfare 2011: 20: 212-219 © 2010 The Author(s), International Journal of Social Welfare © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of SocialWelfare. The privatisation of some essential services in South Africa has raised severe difficulties for those for whom the idea of fees for services is quite foreign and who, in any case, cannot afford to pay for services. The government has developed several initiatives to educate people about the need to pay for services provided by local government, the largest of which was the Masakhane fees-for-services campaign. This article describes two recent initiatives that seek to engage local citizen participation, namely, Integrated Development Plans and izimbizo (or traditional forums). These are examined along with the challenges faced by local government in promoting citizenship participation in service delivery within a decentralised system of governance. The article concludes with some recommendations on how citizen participation can be enhanced so as to make the 'public' visible in public service delivery and thus improve social welfare services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the transformation of social work in South Africa in response to the transition to a developmental welfare approach. Always moulding and shaping itself in response to its social context, social work in South Africa, as elsewhere, is a reflection of the broader political landscape. In South Africa the social work profession has struggled to assert its independence and become self-regulating. It is unique in the Western world in that since 1978 it has been regulated by a legislatively constituted statutory council. While the profession has tried to transform itself in the new democracy, outside pressures have found it wanting and deeply divided. Thus, despite progress in other areas social workers have not yet been successful in forming a strong, united professional association and this severely limits its ability to lobby politicians and advocate on behalf of clients. It seems, however, that the tide is turning and social workers are gaining recognition but, once again, the challenge remains deciding on the extent to which the profession cooperates with the government's agenda for change. Social work educators took the lead in setting education standards in response to higher education policy and are also playing a part in devising practice standards through their involvement in the social work board which falls under the umbrella of the Council for Social Service Professions. However, education and practice are somewhat out of step and professional unity remains a pressing issue on social work's transformation agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a vision for social work education consistent with the challenge of reconstruction and development in South Africa. Many social workers feel threatened by the new emphasis on community development. However, the country's move towards social development provides an ideal opportunity for social work to enhance its relevance and make a positive contribution to the development of our society. The article emphasizes that social work education plays an important role in preparing students for the realities of practice but at the same time education has to play a proactive role in anticipating future needs and changes. In South Africa earlier social work services were aimed primarily at meeting the needs of whites and were mainly therapeutic in nature. South Africa is at present rewriting its welfare policy and is involved in the development of a five-year action plan for welfare. A multifaceted approach aimed at empowering and building the capacity of people and organizations to meet social needs and to develop social resources is required for development.

This article highlights the complexities involved in transforming South Africa's historically divided, selective and wasteful welfare system into a redistributive one aimed at a more equitable and just system of social provision. Ways have to be found to retain the best of the present welfare structure while simultaneously transforming it to meet the needs of the whole population. Since the country cannot afford to replicate the urban welfare structure in rural and undeveloped areas, a new approach is needed. Increasingly, the social development perspective is emerging as the most appropriate welfare model for South Africa. Further, the article discusses recent welfare policy initiatives in South Africa. Two approaches to welfare are discussed: the social services approach and the developmental approach. Finally, the meaning of "a developmental welfare approach" is explored and recommendations regarding the challenges facing social workers wanting to be proactively involved in social development programmes are made.