Abstract: Submission #246

Abstract This article explores the role of social workers in supporting abakhwetha (traditional male circumcision initiates) in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, specifically in the OR Tambo, Amathole, and Alfred Nzo regions, through a Decolonial lens. Social work, often critiqued for its eurocentric roots, requires contextual adaptation to align with South Africa’s socio-histo-cultural realities. The need for this study arises from the marginalisation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), Afrocentricity, and Ubuntu in mainstream social work, which limits its relevance in culturally rich regions like the Eastern Cape. The paper examines how social work can integrate these frameworks to foster culturally sensitive, community-driven interventions. It critiques the eurocentric bias in social work curricula, advocating for Decolonised approaches that prioritise local epistemologies and collective well-being. The study employs a qualitative approach, drawing on literature and theoretical frameworks to propose practical strategies like participatory action research and community collaboration. They suggest that embedding IKS, Afrocentricity, and Ubuntu can enhance social work’s effectiveness, promoting cultural justice and social cohesion. The article concludes that Decolonising social work is essential for addressing the Eastern Cape’s unique cultural and historical complexities, fostering transformative interventions. From a broader perspective, this work contributes to global cognitive justice, challenging eurocentric paradigms and advocating for inclusive, culturally resonant social work practices that empower African communities and redress colonial legacies.