MINISTER OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT APPRECIATES THE SIGNIFICANT ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS
The Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashewishes to honour and recognise social workers – the champions of compassion, dignity, and social justice – for restoring hope and strengthening communities across South Africa.World Social Work Day is commemorated across the globe in March, which is recognised as Social Work Month.
The 2026 theme is: Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society, highlighting the vital role played by social workers in bringing people together across communities, cultures, and systems to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.Social workers stand at the heart of our communities, uplifting the vulnerable, restoring dignity, and helping to bridge the divides that challenge our society.
Their dedication reminds us that hope is strongest when it is built together.As the biggest employer of social workers in the country, the Department supports the theme adopted by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). This day serves as a call for all of us to embrace the spirit of Harambee-pulling together to promote compassion, justice, and unity. By working collectively, we can strengthen families, empower communities, and create a society where every person feels seen, supported, and valued.
As we commemorate World Social Work Day, the Department recognises these everyday heroes whose work continues to build hope, promote justice, and transform lives, one life, one family, and one community at a time. We salute the hands and hearts that help heal our nation.Minister of Social Development, Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, said:“Social workers are at the frontline of restoring dignity and building resilient communities.
Their work goes beyond service delivery; it is about bringing hope where it is needed most, strengthening families, and ensuring that no one is left behind. As government, we remain committed to supporting and investing in this critical profession as they continue to change lives every day.”Social workers are champions of empathy, stepping forward to support communities, families, and individuals in need.
Their work reflects dedication, resilience, and the incredible impact they have on people’s lives.Whether advocating for social justice or lending a compassionate ear, social workers are making the world a kinder, more equitable place, one case at a time. They are agents of change who transform lives through the application of their skills and knowledge, addressing each case with the intention of making a meaningful difference.
The Department calls for continued support for social work practitioners and recognises that the social work profession remains a critical skill required by the country to implement social work approaches, techniques, and interventions, guided by key legislative frameworks that respond to a variety of social ills and vulnerabilities.Social work is an essential profession for the efficient delivery of integrated, quality, and ethical developmental social welfare services in the country.