Culture and the Construction of Social Work Practice in Africa

This article explores the ramifications of the linkages between culture and a more developmental role for social work practice in Africa. Its main argument is that for social work to fulfill this developmental role, it has to, among other things, deal with the cultural basis of its practice; and thus be adaptable to the demands of multicultural societies. After dealing with the definitional and theoretical issues, the essay examines multiculturalism and social work practice, and concludes by positing that a broader re-definition of culture which places social work at the centre of the developmental project facilitates the emergence of a more relevant practice model. (The Journal of Cultural Studies: 2001 3(1): 231-245