Social Development in South Africa

This book interrogates and discusses social development in post-apartheid South Africa as both an approach to an overarching development process and an envisaged end-state of well-being. It critically analyses social development in the context of a middle-income African country that is still not only shaped and defined in many ways by a corrosive history of colonialism and apartheid but is also still saddled with a plethora of social ills which are by-products of the former eras.

Despite the former governing party’s characterisation of South Africa as a ‘Developmental State’, the country remains one of the most unequal societies in the world. The book argues that the vestiges of colonialism and apartheid cannot be addressed solely by economic growth and associated activities, but require a multiplicity of social, economic and political interventions that should be marshalled by both the state and civil society through a robust, comprehensive and transformative social development process that is underpinned by indigenous knowledge systems and forms of care that respond to human needs at the micro and macro levels. The book argues that social development is one of the best vehicles that could enable South Africa to decisively deal with the remnants of colonialism and apartheid as well as become a developmental state. Furthermore, it elucidates how social development should result in, among others, improvements in human well-being, social relations and social institutions that are equitable, sustainable, and compatible with principles of democratic governance and social justice. It proffers practical steps on how social development could enable South Africa to become a developmental state. Lastly, the book shows how social policy and economic policy can be conjoined in South Africa to arrive at a holistic process of social development that will facilitate the building of a developmental state in the country.

Social Development in South Africa is primarily intended for students, academics, and researchers who are interested in social development, international or African social work, community development, and social policy, as well as policy-makers and civil society actors.