Dancing to the beat of a new drum: Harambee for sustainable shared futures in social work education and practice in Africa!

Abstract

The editorial in this extended issue of Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk reflects on the ongoing transformation of social work education and practice in Africa towards more indigenised, Afrocentric and contextually relevant approaches. Particular attention is given to the role of the Association of Schools of Social Work in Africa (ASSWA) in promoting Afrocentric social work education through collaboration, resource development and regional co-operation. As part of the journal’s diamond jubilee, the editorial further explores the integration of developmental and strengths-orientated approaches, together with the incorporation of indigenous knowledge systems and culturally relevant pedagogies into social work curricula. Against this background, the editorial argues that social work education in Africa is progressively shaping a uniquely African approach that is culturally grounded, socially responsive and developmentally orientated.