Social work in South Africa: in search of early role models

Abstract

This is not a normal paper in the sense that it records an interview conducted as part of a research project into the history of social work in South Africa. The aim of this project was to find role models for students and practitioners of social work in South Africa whom they could look up to and revere . There are many unsung heroes in social work who have made a contribution to South African society, some large, some small, and their stories need to be told. Thus what follows is an attempt to allow one such hero to speak with his own voice. Mostly this is a verbatim account, with some editing to create a smooth flow of ideas. The themes were chosen from Professor Hough's responses to questions put to him during the interview. The questionnaire included a quotation from Jim Midgley regarding the contribution of social work to fundamental social issues such as poverty, injustice and oppression. The section 'it is not the social worker's job to change society' was Professor Hough's response to this question.