Apathy or fear? The role of social workers in Zimbabwe’s political discourse

Abstract

The silence by the majority of Zimbabwean social work practitioners in particular, in the wake of the socio-political challenges currently bedeviling the country is worrying. Social work practitioners should be seen as torchbearers of peace and ensuring people’s wellbeing, and condemn oppression and social injustice. They have to be at the forefront rather than periphery of social change, social justice and human rights advocacy. This commentary therefore interrogates the commitment, preparedness and readiness of Zimbabwean social workers to actively participate in the country’s political discourse. It further challenges them to intervene in the socio-political crises engulfing the nation rather than remain as armchair critics. The argument is that Zimbabwean social workers seem to hibernate from commenting on the array of anguishes afflicting the general citizenry. The monograph proposes a number of strategies to increase political efficacy and engagement among social workers.

Keywords: Zimbabwe; social workers; political