A high-level meeting was recently held at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) to explore partnerships aimed at strengthening social work education and professional practice in South Africa. The engagement brought together senior representatives from the Association of South African Social Work Education Institutions (ASASWEI), the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the university.

UMP’s outgoing vice-chancellor, Prof Thoko Mayekiso, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to developing professional qualifications that meet national standards.

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“This engagement marks a pivotal moment for our social work programme. We are looking forward to the path ahead and grateful for the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues and institutions,” she said.

Mayekiso emphasised that, although UMP is a young university with a developing programme, it is determined to contribute meaningfully to the field.
“We are committed to excellence. This is an important step in aligning our academic offerings with the professional expectations of the social work sector.”

ASASWEI president, Dr Poppy Masinga, highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing the profession. She noted that ASASWEI represents 19 universities – 17 public and two private – with a vision rooted in equity, decolonisation and the indigenisation of social work education.

“We welcome UMP into this community and hope to walk the journey together as you grow your programme. We encourage the university to participate in our upcoming events and to consider hosting the 2027 ASASWEI International Conference,” she said.

Masinga also outlined the association’s broader role in fostering collaboration between institutions and government, while advancing research, community development and policy influence.
“We believe that consistent standards across institutions can enhance the social work profession and its impact on society.”

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DSD chief director, Gustav Wilson, welcomed the partnership and affirmed his department’s support.
“We see great potential in this collaboration. Our collective challenge is to ensure social work remains relevant, professional and ethical. We cannot afford to launch initiatives and walk away; we must avoid what I call the ‘Triple L’ approach – by which we launch, lunch and leave.”

Wilson stressed the importance of building morale and a strong professional identity among social workers. He also referred to a pending memorandum of understanding between the department and UMP, describing it as a formal step towards a long and fruitful partnership that delivers tangible outcomes.