The aim of the study was to examine opportunities and challenges for political social work practice in Zimbabwe and the subsequent implication for practice. This aim was pursued using four objectives which were to determine the level of political social work practice in Zimbabwe, to assess opportunities and challenges for political social work practice in Zimbabwe, and to examine strategies that can be utilized to improve political social work practice in Zimbabwe.
The sample size for the study was 55 participants who were spread across cities that include Mutare, Gweru, Bulawayo and Mutare, all of which constitute the study setting. The study used the mixed methods approach. The specific design under the mixed approach used was the concurrent triangulation strategy which allowed the researcher to gather both quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously, using a single tool. A structured survey questionnaire was used to gather quantitative and qualitative data concurrently and a key informant interview guide was used to gather views of key informant on the subject of political social work practice in Zimbabwe. Statistical Package for Social Scientists was used to analyse quantitative data while thematic content analysis was used on qualitative data.
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The study established that the level of political social work practice in Zimbabwe is very low.
From the 600 valid responses on whether respondents participated in political activities raised, only 25% indicated in the affirmative, 14% sometimes participated, and 61% never participated.
The findings did commensurate with reviewed literature as it called for social workers to participate in politics. Political social work activities that social workers scored highly were voting and participating in local issues that affect people such as housing, water, sewer among other collective local issues. Social workers have also indicated interest and willingness to run for political office with females scoring higher than males. Social workers showed that they their level of political social work is only practiced within the confinements of what are considered as personal securities. Majority of respondents indicated that they do not go as far with political social work practice to engage power and political structures on behalf of their clients. Activities that social workers indicated that they do not engage in include organizing for a peaceful demonstration (social action), criticize policy decisions that negatively affect clients, engage political representatives with policy issues of concern and providing expert advice or commentary to the public through media.
On opportunities for political social work in Zimbabwe, respondents agreed that opportunities abound. Of the 500 valid responses gathered, 71% concurred that areas of practice raised for their judgment were opportunities for political social work in Zimbabwe. These areas include professional recognition in Zimbabwe, ethical politics (after social work ethic are transferred into society), expanded areas of practice for social workers, empowerment and participation of vulnerable groups, increased respect for human rights, and power to influence policy. Findings also indicated that political social worker practice will create conflicts between the profession and politicians who previously had a view of social work as a profession that was apolitical. The
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study has however indicated that relationship between the profession and politician will improve over time as they come to appreciate the impact of that method of practice.
The study findings indicated that political social work practice faces a number of challenges in Zimbabwe. Some of these challenges include professional stigmatization by politician, repressive political system, prohibition at work to practice political social work, lack of political social work skills, a weak professional association, and unavailability of elected social workers in parliament. These are the challenges that must be addressed to allow for political social work practice. The study has however indicated that the process of overcoming these challenges ironically is in essence the practice of political social work practice.
The study also came up with strategies to improve political social work practice in Zimbabwe based on the insights gathered from participants. Respondents concurred that if political social work is to be improved in Zimbabwe, there is need to review social work curriculum in Zimbabwe to also include political social work practice in detail and at lengthy. The current curriculum was regarded as inadequate at equipping practitioners that can rise up to the level of political social work society requires today in the face of inequality, corruption, marginalization and social injustice. Another strategy from the findings was that of uniting all social workers in the country by bringing them together to create a strong national association of social workers in the model of a union grouping which will become the face and the voice of social work practice in Zimbabwe. The study also indicated that there is need for benchmarking tours where by social workers in Zimbabwe visits countries that are successfully practicing political social work to lean their model and system of operation. Running for political office was also seen as means to enhance political social work. Finally the study also indicated that another strategy would be for social workers to also participate in pressure groups that seek to influence policy.
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