Social work professional associations in South Africa.

The origins of the social work profession are in industrialized Europe and North America, as attempts were made to respond to the societal needs of the time. It soon spread across western and southern countries including South Africa, where it followed similar trends. Throughout its existence the profession of social work has tended to focus on the management of dependency brought about by poverty, on the one hand and on the other the protection and promotion of the rights of individuals and groups in society. In so doing, it has grappled with issues of professionalization, of defining its boundaries and relationship to other professions, and of establishing its own professional identity. It has attempted to respond to diverse needs and social challenges, in the process developing a generalist approach while promoting increasing specialization in specific fields of practice such as child welfare, ageing, disability, mental health and corrections. The development of social work education was an important part of social work's professionalization. Professional associations of social workers in South Africa developed as initiatives through which social workers sought to protect and give voice to their interests.