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Summary Social Work 478 - Welfare policy
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Social work 478 - Welfare policy
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History of social welfare in South AfricaEarly approaches to social welfare
1. Colonialism
Both colonialism and apartheid shaped our welfare system
South Africa was a Dutch colony from the mid-17th century to the early 18th century,
when the British acquired sovereignty over the cape colony in 1814
Colonial administrations adapted the socio economic organisation of the colonies to
their own interests, with the primary aim of establishing and sustaining the conditions
necessary for economic activity
The foundation of racial discrimination, dismantling of indigenous ways, paternalism in
social services and the distorted nature of social welfare policies favouring whites as
wealthy elite, will aid during colonial times and permeated social welfare thinking for
more than two centuries
Colonialism led to enormous social change in traditional societies, but no responsibility
was taken for the social costs of such large-scale social disruption
2. Rise of public welfare
The discovery of minerals in 1860 heralded the process of Industrialisation in South
Africa, transforming at social and political structures in a relatively short time from those
characteristic of a predominantly agrarian society to those of a highly developed
industrial society
Laid the foundation of racial capitalism and racial differentiation in social welfare
Migrant labourers - Mining industry required a large labour force and thousands of
black workers were employed on the mines
Migrant labours lived in a large compounds, earning low wages and working under
extremely poor conditions
They were forced to remain in the reserves, becoming increasingly impoverished
Welfare programs for black workers in urban areas were non-existent, as they were
not considered to have political or welfare rights and their needs where assumed to be
met by the substance economy of the reserves-families and community networks
The process of industrialisation and urbanisation resulted in large-scale poverty,
housing and health problems
The needs of children, people with disabilities and poor relief received particular
attention in the early years, and these needs were met mainly through institutional care
for orphaned and vulnerable children by religious organisations
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, In 1929, the Carnegie commission of enquiry conducted an investigation into the “poor
white problem” – Developed as more and more Afrikaners lost access to land
One of the commissions major recommendations was that a state welfare department
be established – this marked the beginning of organise state intervention in social
welfare, and the professionalization of social work
The social profession, influenced by the growth of psychology in Europe and North
America during the 1940s and the social treatment approach, begin practicing social
casework – involves one-to-one relations and interventions as the dominant method of
social work in social welfare settings
3. Apartheid social welfare
In 1948, the National party came to power – set about implementing its policy of
Apartheid – a system of institutionalised racial discrimination – ruled the Country for
46 years
Apartheid was in forced through a wide range of legislation
Race became a primary factor in the access to services and benefits and in the
allocation of welfare resources – racial differentiation was an explicit principle of the
South African welfare system – services were segregated
Criticisms
Minority benefited from economic growth
Resources were not allocated equally
System was discriminatory
It was a violation of human rights
In appropriate methods of service delivery
System was undemocratic and repressive
Unresponsive to the needs of the majority
System was costly, ineffective, and inefficient – there were 18 different
welfare departments
Challenges to apartheid social welfare
Resistance in South Africa is characterised by the opposition of
indigenous people to colonialism and Apartheid
The African national congress and the Communist party of South Africa
spearheaded political campaigns against the passing of legislation that
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, restricted access to land and the freedom of movement of Africans as a
result of the introduction of the pass laws
Voluntary social welfare activities by community groups was also
established independently of political and trade union organisations to
address the needs of the disadvantaged
Many religious organisations also establish social welfare activities
Grassroots mutual aid and self-help groups provide an important form of
social support in open areas
The freedom charter was adopted by the African national congress in
1955
Mass resistance to Apartheid re-emerged in 1976
The black consciousness movement, based on self-assertion, autonomy
and the dignity of black people, also emerged in the 1970s
After 1976, protest became endemic and the Apartheid state’s deepening
economic, political and ideological crisis provided the impetus for
continued mobilisation and organisation of resistance
Protest action doing the 1980s gave rise to civic associations, and student
and women’s organisations – mass based community organisations
multiply throughout this period
Social welfare in transition
1990 – the National party government announce the unbanning of political
organisations and the opening of negotiations to arrive at a peaceful settlement of the
intractable conflict that had plagued South Africa for over 300 years
The social situation in the early 1990s was characterised by political and social
instability
The need to reconcile and heal the wounds of the past was considered to be vital, as
were the inclusion of formally excluded and the re-integration of political exiles and
prisoners
In order for social welfare to affectively address the challenges of the unfolding social
situation, a re-orientation in welfare thinking was needed which would break
fundamentally with the old concepts and paradigms
There was significant events between 1990 and 1994
National welfare forum at a national welfare summit – 700 delegates – end of 1993
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, Prior to the 1994 elections – ANC published its election manifesto and program for the
new South Africa – the reconstruction and development program (RDP): a policy
framework
It was widely consulted in the ANC and comments were received from the public – the
RDP Policy framework was to inform economic, political and social development in a
post-Apartheid society – advocated a developmental approach to social security and
social welfare, a focus on basic needs, social welfare rights, review of policy and
legislation and the creation of a single national social welfare and development
department and provincial departments
1994–1st democratic elections – process commences to dismantle apartheid in
welfare – a new path is established for social welfare in national reconstruction and
development
Dismantling apartheid in welfare
Four significant policies or legislations
1. The constitution
1993 – laid foundation of a new society and pave the way of the first democratic
elections held in April 1994
ANC inaugurated on 27th of April 1994
The Constitution in its founding provisions recognises a common South African
citizenship, universal adult suffrage, a multi-party democracy and a judicial review of
government and legislation to ensure that government operates within the framework
of the constitution and the bill of rights
The Bill of Rights guarantees civil and political rights, language and cultural rights, the
right to social security, children’s rights and social and economic rights to all citizens
Constitution followed the lead of international human rights instruments – informed
many of the demands of opposition movements for adjust, democratic and peaceful
society committed to Human rights
Provision was made for a constitutional court to protect and interpret the Constitution
for judicial review
Constitution also made provision for a move to a federal structure of governance
2. The reconstruction and development program (RDP)
The political program of the ANC
The white paper on Reconstruction and development included five key policy
objectives – The provision of basic needs, developing human resources, building the
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