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Embracing diversity, strengthening human relationships and collective responsibility

22 March 2023 | Story Mariette Joubert | Photo Unsplash

South Africa celebrated Human Rights Day and World Social Work Day on 21 March 2023. Social work is a profession that advocates for the human rights of people as well as focuses on the responsibility that comes with these rights. Just as the Bill of Rights is the cornerstone of democracy and protects our rights, the social work code of ethics is the cornerstone that ensures quality social work services.

The University of the Free State (UFS) second-year social work students took an oath on 22 March which binds them to the social work code of ethics. Social workers have the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development which consists of four pillars. Focus is drawn to the last pillar, Strengthening Recognition of the Importance of Human Relationships. Human relationships are the core of social work and social development. These relationships take various forms, including social, personal, interpersonal, and therapeutic relationships, among various people and in various settings. In relationships where people flourish, trust is crucial. In contrast, mistrust skews relationships in a negative way.

Respecting diversity through joint social action

The Ubuntu pan-African philosophical framework is the greatest place to understand the significance of human relationships. To promote and strive for the strengthening of relationships, this year’s theme for Social Work Day is “Respecting Diversity Through Joint Social Action”. If we can stop criticising people that do not live, believe, or think according to our constructed standards of being, we will be able to do so much more as humanity. If we start embracing peoples’ diversities and take time to start building relationships with various people and bridge any existing gaps, we will realise that diversity is an integral aspect of changing the world in a positive manner. Corresponding to human rights and the theme of World Social Work Day, is the theme “Destigmatising intellectual disability through shifting attitudes” for Intellectual Disability Awareness Month [IDAM] which also takes place later in March. Another way through which we can start building relationships and embrace diversity is by participating in this year’s South African Federation for Mental Health challenge where CEOs of different institutions are challenged to spend one day in a wheelchair as part of an awareness-raising campaign to destigmatise intellectual disabilities.

News Archive

UFS student missing after being accosted in Phuthaditjhaba

2014-10-15

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) management and Student Representative Council (SRC) at the Qwaqwa Campus are working around the clock to find Sinethemba Shezi, third-year BEd student, who was accosted on Friday 10 October 2014 at approximately 20:30 whilst walking to the campus with a friend.

The students wanted to study at the campus facilities, as they stay off-campus.

The matter was immediately reported to the university’s Campus Protection Services, who alerted the South African Police Service (SAPS). A search party, made up of members of the SAPS, the UFS Protection Services and the SRC, searched the area throughout the night.

Mr Shezi is still missing, despite various SAPS units – dogs, helicopter and divers – searching the area over the weekend until this afternoon (Tuesday 14 October 2014).

The campus community and the SAPS are doing everything possible to find Mr Shezi. His family is receiving support from the university.

The university management appeals to anybody with information to assist by calling one of the following persons:

Prof Prakash Naidoo
Campus Principal
+27(0)72 621 7135

Mr Teboho Manchu
Campus Vice-Principal: Support Services
+27(0)83 629 9343

Mr Tautona Moloi
Head: Protection Services
+27(0)81 015 3299

Issued by: Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Tel: +27(0)51 401 2584
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

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