Building the Capacity of First Year Social Work Students: Experiences from a South African Tertiary Education Institution

Abstract

While futures are indeed created, they are not typically created on a clean slate. It is hard for nations to leave their pasts behind (Varshney cited by Mangcu, 2004:3).

The authors extend a special thank you to Ms. Tessa Hochfeld, Lecturer; Social Work, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, whose creativity, enthusiasm and commitment made it possible to offer and sustain the Building Capacity Program over a two year period; and who continues to champion the cause of academic redress in the classroom.

ABSTRACT. A three part Building Capacity Program developed for social work students in a South African tertiary education institution is described. The primary purpose of the Program was to build the capacity of social work students considered to be at risk of not completing their studies. The Program is located within the socio‐political context of South Africa, and the interplay between education and social welfare in meeting the goals of national development. The content and structure of the Program are outlined and its contribution toward educational redress at tertiary level is explored.

Keywords:

• Group work
• development
• capacity‐building
• empowerment

Notes

The authors extend a special thank you to Ms. Tessa Hochfeld, Lecturer; Social Work, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, whose creativity, enthusiasm and commitment made it possible to offer and sustain the Building Capacity Program over a two year period; and who continues to champion the cause of academic redress in the classroom.

*. The ‘bush telegraph’ refers to the informal communication network amongst students.