THE AFRICAN WORLDVIEW AS THE BASIS OF PRACTICE IN THE HELPING PROFESSIONS

Dumisani Thabede

doi:10.15270/44-3-237

Abstract

This paper endeavours to point out some of the specific elements that constitute the African worldview that both educators and practitioners in the helping professions should be aware of when providing social casework/counselling services to African people. Social workers need to be sensitive to the African worldview when dealing with African clients, because this worldview informs the way in which Africans relate to phenomena, including challenges that life presents to African clients. In this paper the following aspects will be addressed: the meaning of the African worldview; the existence of thee African worldviews; the rationale for embracing the African worldview; the unity/common elements of the African worldview/culture; and the elements of the African worldview that caseworkers have to consider (beliefs and practices) such as belief in God, belief in ancestors, belief in witchcraft and traditional healing, polygamy, rites of passage.

Highlights

This paper endeavours to point out some of the specific elements that constitute the African worldview that both educators and practitioners in the helping professions should be aware of when providing social casework/counselling services to African people
Reve (1995:1) states that “...the word African has been debatable due to the fact that many people claim to be Africans. This has created real confusion as to what an African is”. African in this context refers to African (Black) people who are residents of South Africa and fall within the Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Tsonga and Venda ethnic groups
African in this context excludes the White, Coloured and Indian populations residing in South Africa

Summary

INTRODUCTION

This paper endeavours to point out some of the specific elements that constitute the African worldview that both educators and practitioners in the helping professions should be aware of when providing social casework/counselling services to African people. Reve (1995:1) states that “...the word African has been debatable due to the fact that many people claim to be Africans This has created real confusion as to what an African is”. African in this context refers to African (Black) people who are residents of South Africa and fall within the Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Tsonga and Venda ethnic groups. African in this context excludes the White, Coloured and Indian populations residing in South Africa. In the social sciences the African, Coloured and Indian worldviews are relatively marginalised as the basis of professional interventions in the helping professions. The marginalisation of the African worldview may be the reason why most Africans adhere simultaneously to both traditional/African and Western psychological treatment regimes when they contend with psychopathological challenges

DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS

CONCLUSION