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Award Recipients 2024 – Social Work and Development
Hongera (Swahili), oluwa loni o (Yoruba) and እንዴት ነው (indet new) (Amharic) to all those who received awards. Keep on…
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Ten Key Elements of Africa’s Decolonisation
- Ubuntu: A whole of Africa philosophy emphasizing the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of community. The concept of Ubuntu highlights the communal values that were often disrupted by colonialism.
- Harambee: A Swahili word meaning all pull together. It represents the spirit of collective effort and collaboration, which colonial powers often exploited or disrupted in African societies.
- Mau Mau: Refers to a militant anti-colonial movement in Kenya during the 1950s. The Mau Mau rebellion symbolizes the resistance of African peoples against colonial oppression and exploitation.
- Sankofa: A word from the Akan people of Ghana, symbolized by a bird looking backward while moving forward. Sankofa represents the idea of learning from the past in order to build a better future, which is particularly relevant in addressing the legacies of colonisation in Africa.
- Maat: A concept from ancient Egyptian philosophy and spirituality, Maat represents truth, justice, and harmony. The pursuit of Maat was central to ancient African societies and serves as a guiding principle for addressing injustices perpetuated by colonisation.
- Indaba: A Nguni term for a gathering or conference to discuss important matters. Indigenous governance systems often relied on the indaba as a form of consensus-building, which was disrupted by colonial authorities.
- Jua kali: Swahili for ‘hot sun’, it refers to the informal sector of the economy in East Africa, characterized by small-scale entrepreneurship and craftsmanship. The jua kali sector has historically been a source of resilience and economic independence in the face of colonial economic exploitation.
- Imihigo: In Rwanda, imihigo are performance contracts between the government and citizens, outlining development goals and responsibilities. Indigenous governance practices such as imihigo were often suppressed or replaced by colonial administrative structures.
- Mugabeism: Named after Zimbabwe’s former leader Robert Mugabe, Mugabeism refers to the policy of land redistribution and indigenization of the economy pursued after independence. It reflects the legacy of colonial land dispossession and the struggle for economic justice in post-colonial Africa.
- Igbo kwenu: A call and response phrase used by the Igbo people of Nigeria to acknowledge the presence and solidarity of a group. Igbo kwenu is met with the response Igbo kwezuenu, signifying unity and collective identity, values that were often disrupted by colonialism but remain important in African societies.
Kumi (10) Key Lessons from Africa Day Day 2024
Cite as: Africa Social Work and development network and Association of Schools of Social work (2024). 10 points from Africa…
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Awards Ceremony 2024
Hongera, congratulations to the following people for their successes and for being awarded at the Social Work and Development Awards…
Tips for turning your thesis or dissertation into a book
Are you interested in turning your thesis or dissertation into a book and pitching it to a publisher but do…
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Africa Day
Africa Day offers a platform to celebrate Africa’s rich cultural diversity, honor its history of resistance and liberation, and reaffirm…
Chagua vs. AGOA: Rwanda’s Second Hand Clothes and Shoes Trade Standoff with the US and the Battle for Economic Sovereignty
Rwanda ended up being banned from a trade deal with the US called AGOA – for raising tariffs to discourage…
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo speech about UN’s structural flaws, slave trade and illicit flow of funds out of Africa
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in 2023, His Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo made these important points: https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxrZ9J5AYZly5nNNIuc2djaJqD0gscmfi2?si=SHDbSW7Md-z2wfb- Implications for…
A whopping 50 million shillings (US$22,000) for a researcher in Tanzania who publishes in an international journal – why this approach is wrong?
The direct reason for paying US$22000 is to encourage rankings of local universities, an indirect reason is to improve research…
Total Agreement Technique in African Research Ethics: A Culturally Sensitive Approach to Informed Consent
Kudzai Mwapaura Blogger Informed consent is a cornerstone of research ethics, ensuring that participants understand and voluntarily agree to take…
Left pan-Africanism from new President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and new Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko in Senegal
Young pan-African politicians, Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko have taken the leadership of Senegal as President and Prime Minister…
World Social Work Day 2024
Theme – Buen Vivir 19 March was a commemoration of social work around the world. This is an important day…
The African Development Fund (ADF)
The ADF was established in 1972, it became operational in 1974. Administered by the African Development Bank, it comprises, to…
AU Theme for 2024 — Educate an African fit for the 21st Century
Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and…
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Africa, Gender and Development: Special issue of the Journal of Development Administration
A special issue to commemorate two women’s events: International Women’s Day (8 March) and Africa’s Women’s Day (31 July). Pan-African…
Environmental Social Work frameworks and models in Africa
From: Mushunje, M. and Matsika, A. B. (2023). Environmental Social Work: African philosophies, frameworks and perspectives. African Journal of Social…
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Chinualumogu Achebe (1930-2013)’s contribution to social development
Albert Chinualumogu Achebe was born in Ogidi, Nigeria, in 1930. He was a poet, novelist and political critic. He also…
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What does it mean to decolonise publishing?
This video and transcribed text below came from Walter Bgoya’s 2021 keynote speech at University of Cape Town, South Africa….
Sankofa Theory
The Adinkra people are an Akan tribe of Ghana, West of Africa. Their symbol is a bird called Sankofa. Like…
Food, nutrition and water insecurity impacts about 282 million people in Africa: why, what can our professions do as part of environmental work?
Africa is not on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 targets to end hunger and ensure access…
Fundi – The African Dictionary and Encyclopaedia of Social Work and Development
Current version: Version 2.0 Funda is a Swahili or Shona word that means to teach or to learn. It comes…
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BIBLIOGRAPHY OF UBUNTU IN SOCIAL WORK, DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE (Version 2.1) NOW AVAILABLE
Also referred to as the Ubuntu database, this compressive and first of its kind bibliography is maintained by Robert Chigangaidze…
Research articles – from primary to tertiary articles
Primary article (full research) You identify an issue, problem or challenge, ask a question, look for multiple sources to answer…
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Flooding Crisis in Baidoa, Somalia – Collaborative Efforts Needed
by Mohamed Abdulahi Abshir, Somalia The situation in Baidoa is dire, with significant disruptions to daily life. Individuals, such as…
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DECOLONISING RESEARCH ETHICS PLANS
How to Write a Research Ethics Statement A research ethics statement is a detailed account of ethics that (1) will…
Where is your work published – in Africa or outside?
Think locally, publish locally and develop locally. ASWDNet, 2023 There are many African thinkers and researchers who write or author…
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Fast-tracking African and national disability policies adoption and enforcement as an enabler of disability inclusion
Blogger: Kudzai Mwapaura The organizations representing people with disabilities (PWDs) have urged the government of Zimbabwe to swiftly enact a…
Morocco earthquake and Libya dam floods
In the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco an earthquake shook the land on 8 September 2023, killing close to 3000…
Israel-Palestine Conflict, African Union (AU) Positions and Lessons for Social Work and Development
Preventing loss of life through dialogue is crucial. What is happening in the Middle-East could be prevented by dialogue towards…
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