Concerned social work graduates are in panic, as some of them remain at home with their qualifications and no signs of employment.
The Department of Social Development (DSD) was able to absorb some of the professionals trained by this department, on the other hand, some of them were taken as volunteers. The department has admitted that this is not enough.
In an interview, DSD Minister Lindiwe Zulu responded:
We don’t have the budget to absorb all the ones that we train.
Members of parliament questioned the challenges faced by the department and how this matter would be resolved.
Zulu said the department is responsible to go out there and look for opportunities in other governmental departments, such as the Department of Basic Education.
At the beginning of the school year, schools made headlines for tragic and unpleasant incidents. One of these incidents included school fighting in Hoërskool Jan Viljoen which was believed to have been racially motivated.
Employing social workers is an opportunity for these professionals to help in such instances. It is also believed that some schools either have a shortage or lack a social worker.
Zulu confidently said that these professionals will help in resolving societal ills faced by South African communities.
