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© British Association of Social Workers

Social Work and the ‘Missionary Zeal to Whip the Heathen Along the Path of Righteousness’1

ARNON BAR-ON

Arnon Bar-On is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Work at the University of Botswana

Correspondence to Amon Bar-On, Department of Social Work, University of Botswana, Private Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana.

Summary

Ever since Western forms of social work were first imported to Africa, a serious debate has been raging on whether they fit the African context Most of this debate has concentrated, however, on the techniques of Western social work as opposed to the ends to which they are put, which, being underpinned by Western values, are essentially alien to African culture. Applying Western social work in Africa can be viewed, therefore, as continuing the work of the missionaries who sought to remake Africans in their own image. Following a summary of the arguments why Africa might require a form of social work of its own, this article explores the chances of such indigenization and concludes that it might be nigh impossible unless research involving reflective learning by African social workers with their clients is placed at the centre of social work practice.


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