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Submission information
Submission Number: 54
Submission ID: 811
Submission UUID: 0da42907-65fb-4bcf-9559-d29a31f32088
Submission URI: /2025/abstracts
Created: Wed, 04/23/2025 - 11:50
Completed: Wed, 04/23/2025 - 12:34
Changed: Fri, 05/09/2025 - 12:44
Remote IP address: 146.230.65.149
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Webform: Abstract
Presenters
Dr.
Ntini
Edmore
University of kwazulu-natal
Dr Edmore Ntini is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Built Environment & Development Studies. He lectures in Institutions on Development, Development Theories, and Postgraduate Research Designs. He is currently the Chair of the School`s Research and Higher Degrees Committee. He coordinates the Independent Study Research Project in the Post Graduate Diploma, Undergraduate Level 2 Development Theories Module, and Level 1 Institutions in Development Module. He supervises Postgraduate Research students (Honours, Master's, and PhD). He serves on the MA Students Selection Committee and chairs the PhD Students Selection Committee in the Department of Community Development. Dr Edmore Ntini is an MA and PhD External Examiner for the Department of Development Studies and Sociology at five universities. He is currently the External Examiner for several Final-year Courses at three universities. He researches and publishes on Civil Society, the State, Community Development, Development Studies and Sociology themes. He peer-reviews publications for 16 Journals. Dr. Edmore Ntini`s publication record includes one co-published book chapter and 32 published journal articles. He has supervised and graduated more than 60 postgraduate research students. He is currently working on two book manuals.
No
Abstract
Reclaiming Political Social Work: Confronting Depoliticisation in Community Development Practice
THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development
SUB 4.1 Preparing future social workers for roles in in nontraditional social work environments.
Oral Presentation
Beyond Service Delivery: Reclaiming Political Social Work as a Catalyst for Transformative Community Development
by
Dr. Edmore Ntini
E-mail: Ntinie@Ukzn.ac.za (Business) /eddiemza@gmail.com (Personal)
Phone: +27 648090878/031 260 2289
ABSTRACT
Political Social Work and Community Development are often positioned as complementary forces addressing social inequalities. However, this paper critically argues that mainstream Community Development has been co-opted into a depoliticised, service-oriented framework that reinforces systemic oppression rather than dismantling it. Drawing on Critical Social Theory and Structural Social Work Theory, this study challenges the assumption that Political Social Work Community Development are inherently transformative. Instead, it contends that Political Social Work must reclaim its role as a disruptive force that mobilises communities, challenges oppressive power structures, and demands systemic change. This research employs a qualitative analytical approach, examining historical and contemporary case studies where Political Social Work has successfully driven structural transformation. Key findings reveal that service delivery models often neutralise resistance, prioritising bureaucratic efficiency over genuine empowerment. Additionally, funding mechanisms frequently suppress radical advocacy, forcing social work practitioners into compliance with neoliberal governance structures. The study recommends re-politicising Political Social Work through grassroots organising, policy advocacy, and education reforms in social work training. Alternative funding models, such as cooperative economies and independent coalitions, are proposed to sustain politically engaged social work. Ultimately, this paper asserts that Political Social Work can only fulfil its transformative potential when it operates within a framework of political activism, challenging rather than accommodating systemic inequalities. By reclaiming its political roots, Social Work can become an active agent of social justice, shifting power from institutions to the communities it serves.
Keywords: Political Social Work, Community Development, Structural Transformation, Neoliberalism, Grassroots Organising, Social Justice [267]
by
Dr. Edmore Ntini
E-mail: Ntinie@Ukzn.ac.za (Business) /eddiemza@gmail.com (Personal)
Phone: +27 648090878/031 260 2289
ABSTRACT
Political Social Work and Community Development are often positioned as complementary forces addressing social inequalities. However, this paper critically argues that mainstream Community Development has been co-opted into a depoliticised, service-oriented framework that reinforces systemic oppression rather than dismantling it. Drawing on Critical Social Theory and Structural Social Work Theory, this study challenges the assumption that Political Social Work Community Development are inherently transformative. Instead, it contends that Political Social Work must reclaim its role as a disruptive force that mobilises communities, challenges oppressive power structures, and demands systemic change. This research employs a qualitative analytical approach, examining historical and contemporary case studies where Political Social Work has successfully driven structural transformation. Key findings reveal that service delivery models often neutralise resistance, prioritising bureaucratic efficiency over genuine empowerment. Additionally, funding mechanisms frequently suppress radical advocacy, forcing social work practitioners into compliance with neoliberal governance structures. The study recommends re-politicising Political Social Work through grassroots organising, policy advocacy, and education reforms in social work training. Alternative funding models, such as cooperative economies and independent coalitions, are proposed to sustain politically engaged social work. Ultimately, this paper asserts that Political Social Work can only fulfil its transformative potential when it operates within a framework of political activism, challenging rather than accommodating systemic inequalities. By reclaiming its political roots, Social Work can become an active agent of social justice, shifting power from institutions to the communities it serves.
Keywords: Political Social Work, Community Development, Structural Transformation, Neoliberalism, Grassroots Organising, Social Justice [267]
Reviewer ONE Feedback
Prof
Ulene
Schiller
Yes
Empirical Research
Accepted
Reviewer TWO Feedback
Mrs
Neo
Ravhuhali
Yes
Empirical Research
Accepted