THE UNSUNG HEROES OF SOCIETY: SOCIAL WORKERS’ ROLE IN STRENGTHENING FAMILIES

By Precious Mupenzi

• On World Social Work Day, the third Tuesday of March, we should all honour those who dedicate their lives to uplifting the most vulnerable in society.
• The Department of Social Development is taking time to honour their invaluable contribution to fostering connections and building resilient and inclusive societies.
• When older persons engage with younger people through storytelling, recreational activities, and even economic ventures, knowledge is transferred, values are reinforced, and communities become stronger.

As the sun rises on another World Social Work Day, the Department of Social Development takes a moment to honour the tireless men and women who dedicate their lives to uplifting the most vulnerable in our society.

Social workers are the quiet pillars of strength in communities, offering a helping hand where hope seems lost and building bridges between generations to ensure a brighter future for all.

World Social Work Day is a global observance that recognises the invaluable contributions of social workers in improving lives and strengthening communities.

Celebrated annually on the third Tuesday of March, it is a day to reflect on the impact of social work in addressing social injustices, advocating for human rights, and providing essential support to vulnerable individuals and families.

This year’s theme, Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing, highlights the importance of fostering connections across generations to create resilient and inclusive societies. The theme resonates deeply in a world grappling with increasing social and economic challenges.

Speaking on the significance of this theme, the Chief Director: Professional Social Services & Older Persons at the Department of Social Development, Civil Legodu, painted a picture of the department’s commitment to fostering strong family structures. “We are mandated to build resilient families, and this can only be achieved through intergenerational solidarity,” she explained.

“Imagine a community where grandparents pass down not just stories, but survival skills; where children grow up guided by the experiences of their elders, and where youth actively engage in shaping their environment.”

Legodu referenced the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the Doha Report on Family Policy, which describe intergenerational solidarity as the social cohesion between different generations.

She stressed that the department’s approach integrates both macro and micro levels of generational bonding – the macro focusing on shared national experiences, and the micro centred on familial relationships spanning grandparents, parents, and children.

At the heart of this initiative is a belief that social cohesion can only be strengthened when generations learn from one another.

“We see older persons engaging with children and youth in dialogues, storytelling, recreational activities, and even economic ventures,” Legodu said. “Through these interactions, knowledge is transferred, values are reinforced, and communities become stronger.”

The intergenerational programme, she explained, is designed to yield long-term benefits, fostering self-reliance and resilience within communities. “It’s not just about connecting generations for the sake of it,” she added with conviction. “It’s about ensuring that every individual, young and old, feels seen, valued, and empowered.”

As the largest employer of social workers in South Africa, the Department of Social Development supports this initiative, acknowledging that social workers play a critical role in ensuring its success.

“The truth is, communities face overwhelming social and economic difficulties daily,” Legodu noted. “That’s why we need skilled professionals – people who can lighten the burdens of others and equip them with the tools to navigate life’s challenges.”

World Social Work Day is a moment of recognition, a day that reaffirms the value of social workers and the essential services they provide.

“Social workers are the heartbeat of our communities,” Legodu said passionately. “They work in the shadows, but their impact is immeasurable.”

The department calls on society to acknowledge and support social workers, emphasising that their expertise is vital in tackling the country’s most pressing social ills.

“Social work is more than a profession, it’s a calling,” Legodu concluded. “It’s about commitment, compassion, and the belief that every person, no matter their circumstances, deserves a chance at a better life.”

As South Africa commemorates this important day, the work of social workers is invaluable, and their contributions must never go unnoticed.