Suchergebnisse

To address the conditions of poverty and underdevelopment in the country, the SouthAfrican government has accepted the social development approach as policy fordelivery of social services. Social welfare organisations and other similar social serviceproviders, such as faith-based organisations (FBOs), have attempted to implement thispolicy with varying degrees of enthusiasm and success. It has been stated that thetransformation of service delivery requires a "…comprehensive reshaping of socialwork practice" (Green, 1999:29) to bring about the changes that people andcommunities need to escape the degrading conditions of poverty. In this regard socialdevelopment encompasses the broad multi-dimensional concepts of planned changetowards social and economic well-being, and the improvement of the quality of life forindividuals, groups and communities (Billups, 1994; Pandey, 1981; Midgley, 1994).

English The role of churches is explored against the background of poverty and inequality in South Africa. The value of empowerment to counter the negative effects of traditional forms of welfare aid is explained. The case is made for churches to collaborate with other institutions and groups to undertake joint social development programmes. French Le rôle des églises face à la pauvreté et à l'inégalité en Afrique du sud est examiné. L'article explique la valeur accordée au principe 'd'empowerment' dans le but de contrer les effets négatifs des formes traditionnelles d'aide sociale. Il est démontré que les églises doivent collaborer avec d'autres institutions et groupes dans le développement de programmes conjoints d'aide sociale. Spanish La función de las iglesias es explorada teniendo como fondo de partida la pobreza y la inequidad en Sudáfrica. El valor del empoderamiento (empowerment) para contrarrestar los efectos negativos de las formas tradicionales de ayuda es explicada. Se argumenta que las iglesias tienen que colaborar con otras instituciones y grupos para el desarrollo de programas de desarrollo social conjunto.