ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the South African context of social work education with reference to historical and ethical issues such as colonialism and apartheid, the scars of which endure. South African social work educational discourse has largely replicated and reproduced Westernized values through the process of mind colonization, at times with resultant oppressive and discriminatory practices. Developmental social work, a social development approach relatively new in social work education globally, is an accepted model in Southern Africa, deemed contextually appropriate and relevant. Critical and radical social work requires analysis of modernist and postmodern theory, as well as contemplation of the decolonization of theory, in conjunction with reflexivity to develop critical consciousness. Decolonization is a process requiring critical thinking and reflexivity to work ethically to understand communities and social issues. Disagreement and debate characterize the “indigenization of social work,” specifically around the issue of universal standards and values against local relevance.
