On Friday the 13th of March 2018, Midlands State University’s School of Social Work hosted the International Social Workers’ Day commemorations that were organised under the auspices of the Zimbabwe National Association of Social Workers (NASW-Z).
The commemorations, which ran under the theme ‘Professional Social Work, Community and Environmental Sustainability’ begun with a march from Harare Town House to the School of Social Work and brought together social work students from Midlands State University, Bindura University of Science Education, University of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University as well as social work practitioners from various organisations and government departments such as the Council for Social Workers, UNICEF and Department of Social Welfare among others.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Dean of Social Sciences, Dr Z E Mugari, the MSU Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor V N Muzvidziwa underscored the importance of social work in promoting sustainable community development.
‘… As part of promoting community sustainability, social work is strategically placed to play a key role in advancing sustainable solutions to eradicate poverty and create pathways to development and empowerment. The knowledge base of social work can be utilized to permanently lift the poor out of the poverty trap’, said Professor Muzvidziwa.
Delivering a presentation in line with the theme, the guest speaker, Professor Makhubele from the University of Limpopo in South Africa, also stressed the need for social work practitioners to champion and provide solutions, methods and interventions that address social challenges in a manner that is environmentally sustainable.
Among those who attended the event were NASW-Z president, Mr C Mupangani and the Director of Social Welfare, Mr S Soko. Performances from the MSU Music Business, Musicology and Technology Band kept the crowd entertained throughout the celebrations with their scintillating tunes and renditions.
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