Centre for Social Development in Africa (CSDA)

04/09/2026

📚 BOOK LAUNCH | The Routledge International Handbook of Radical, Ethical Social Work

What does it mean to practise social work that is both radical and ethical in a world shaped by inequality, polarisation and systemic oppression?

The CSDA at the University of Johannesburg and the Department of Social Work at Wits - University of the Witwatersrand invite you to the launch of The Routledge International Handbook of Radical, Ethical Social Work, edited by CSDA research fellow Jeanette Schmid and Marina Morgenshtern.

🌍 Bringing together 30 international chapters, this new volume explores how radical and ethical approaches can be brought together in social work theory and practice – despite the tensions and contradictions between them.

Several international contributors will share insights from the book, including practical strategies for:
🔹 Responding to structural and systemic oppression
🔹 Navigating polarisation in social work
🔹 Working with contradictions and tensions in practice
🔹 Developing socially transformative responses
🔹 Maintaining inclusive and respectful approaches

📅 9 October 2026
🕒 15:00–16:30 SAST
💻 Online

If you are interested in working with the contradictions in social work and finding innovative, socially transformative responses, this is a conversation not to be missed!

👉 Register to join: 7ae06c70-c58d-42c4-8b57-5b5be58b6b5c@fa785acd-36ef-41bc-8a94-89841327e045" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7ae06c70-c58d-42c4-8b57-5b5be58b6b5c@fa785acd-36ef-41bc-8a94-89841327e045

Taylor & Francis

03/09/2026

The CSDA congratulates Prof Tanusha Raniga on being awarded the Distinguished Woman Researcher Award: Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) at the 2026 Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA).

The prestigious awards recognise and celebrate women scientists and researchers whose work advances knowledge, drives innovation, and helps address societal challenges, while inspiring the next generation of women in science.

Prof Raniga’s achievement is a significant recognition of her contribution to research and social development. Congratulations, Prof Raniga, on this well-deserved honour!

02/09/2026

📢SOCIAL SECURITY FOR WORKERS WEBINAR SERIES

How can social protection systems respond to a changing world of work — and better support workers on the margins?

Join us for the first session of the Social Security for Workers Webinar Series, exploring innovative approaches to social security, social insurance and the challenges facing workers in the Global South.

📅 9 September 2026
🕐 13:00–14:30 CET

🎤 Featured presentations:
1) Negotiating Social Security for Workers on the Margin: Innovations from the Global South
Marianne Ulriksen & Inés Furtado André, Danish Centre for Welfare Studies, University of Southern Denmark
💬 Discussant: Sony Pellissery

2) Re-thinking Social Insurance Design and Financing to Achieve Universal Coverage in a Changing World of Work
Florian Juergens-Grant, Social Protection Advisor, HelpAge International
💬 Discussant: Sarah Cook

📅 Upcoming sessions:
16 September | 24 September | 30 September | 7 October

👉 Register here: c3aa5cf2-0099-447f-a2ee-58f17c968bc0@fa785acd-36ef-41bc-8a94-89841327e045" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c3aa5cf2-0099-447f-a2ee-58f17c968bc0@fa785acd-36ef-41bc-8a94-89841327e045

01/09/2026

📢 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2027

Southern Africa Labour & Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town SALDRU’s Youth & Social Policy Research Team is inviting applications for the UCT-funded URC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2027.

The two-year fellowship offers recent PhD graduates dedicated time and support to build an independent research career, working alongside a team focused on improving outcomes for young people in South Africa.

🔎 Research focus areas include:
• Youth poverty, multidimensional deprivation and wellbeing
• Youth not in employment, education or training (NEET)
• Comprehensive youth support and social protection
• The Basic Package of Support (BPS)
• Youth employment and transitions
• Youth Explorer and data-driven policy research

Who should apply?
Recent PhD graduates in fields such as Economics, Sociology, Social Policy, Demography, Development Studies or related disciplines, with relevant quantitative, qualitative or mixed-method research experience.

📅 Application deadline: Wednesday, 2 September 2026 (COB)

📩 Apply by sending:
• CV and full publication/output list
• Brief cover letter outlining your research alignment
• Contact details for three referees

Send applications to: Joanna Grotte — [email protected]

Please review the full URC eligibility criteria before applyinghttps://www.uj.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/saldru_youth-social-policy_pdrf_advert_2027.pdf

28/08/2026

📢 Exciting news!

The Basic Package of Support (BPS) and Healthy Futures South Africa (HFSA) are joining forces in Knysna-Bitou to strengthen support for young people and connect them to meaningful opportunities.

Want to make a difference in your community? We're looking for committed individuals to join our growing team.

📍 Knysna-Bitou 📢 Applications now open, closing 31 August 2026

See the flyer for available positions.

Apply here:
🔗Site Manager https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y4XQMIQSB5ZxlpcWRXadD2SNKiEYMxue/view
🔗Youth Coach Guide https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iznSMbAJATG-V1SDLM0AU8mMc6qFF_sF/view
🔗Junior Youth Coach https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C4_FKgt79VQEjOw15N05dfEGqAl1cNL5/view
🔗Youth Mobiliser https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IwDQCbNgUJwwUaKC6kW9mgWtcprnupch/view

Southern Africa Labour & Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town BPS Atlantis

26/08/2026

📢 Join us for the next ICSD Africa Branch Working Paper Webinar!

The International Consortium for Social Development Africa Branch invites you to join an upcoming session of its Working Paper Webinar Series, featuring Achem Evi Claire (Common Action for Gender Development-COMAGEND Cameroon)

Achem will present her paper: “The Way Girls Want: A Co-Designed, Structural Volunteerism Model for Bridging the Experience Gap and Promoting Decent Work for Young Cameroonian Women.”

The webinar series showcases the work of social development scholars, practitioners and policymakers across Africa and provides a platform for knowledge sharing and discussion.

📅 Date: 5 October
⏰ Time: 12 pm - 1 pm
💻 Link: 2f907d74-c359-451c-936c-6374a8dac3e1@fa785acd-36ef-41bc-8a94-89841327e045" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/2f907d74-c359-451c-936c-6374a8dac3e1@fa785acd-36ef-41bc-8a94-89841327e045

Join us for an engaging discussion on gender, youth employment and decent work, and the innovative approaches that can help create more equitable opportunities for young women.

24/08/2026

Inspired by her Master’s research in Social Policy and Development, Sharon Masina founded the Single-Mother's Voice Foundation (SMVF) in September 2025 to support single mothers and their children through skills development, emotional support, philanthropy and faith-based initiatives.

Her research, titled “Municipal–Civil Society Partnerships and Their Role in Enhancing Social Services for Single-Mother Households in Soweto,” highlighted the systemic barriers facing single mothers — including food insecurity, unemployment, childcare challenges and emotional well-being.

Today, SMVF is turning those findings into action through initiatives such as:

🧶 Crocheting Project – creating a supportive space for mothers to connect, learn skills and manage stress.

🎭 Acting Project – helping mothers rediscover their talents, build confidence and pursue dreams they may have put aside.

💄 Sharon’s Glam House Partnership – providing free hair, makeup and nail services for mothers and children celebrating milestones such as graduations and matric dances.

👧🏽 Bright Minds Academy Collaboration – helping address childcare barriers by providing affordable daycare access, allowing mothers to participate in skills development, seek employment and pursue opportunities.

🙏🏽 Rooted in both research and faith, SMVF’s work reflects Sharon’s belief that supporting single mothers requires a holistic approach — emotionally, spiritually and practically.

From academic research to community action, Sharon’s journey demonstrates how research can inspire meaningful social change.

For more information on our MPhil programme at the University of Johannesburg, visit https://www.uj.ac.za/faculties/humanities/research/research-centres/centre-for-social-development-in-africa-csda/master-of-philosophy-in-social-policy-and-development/

17/08/2026

In a new opinion piece for IOL News, CSDA researcher and PhD student Tunusha Naidu, together with Prof Lauren Graham and Oliver M**h, explores what meaningful digital inclusion really looks like for young people.

The research highlights that connectivity is only the starting point. High data costs, unreliable electricity, shared devices and limited support can prevent young people from turning digital access into opportunities for education, employment and economic participation.

The key question is not simply “Who is connected?”, but “Who has the opportunity to benefit from being connected?”

University of Johannesburg UJ Faculty of Humanities

South Africa’s partnerships to expand broadband access in schools represent an important step towards closing the digital divide. However, research from the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Social Development in Africa shows that internet connectivity alone cannot deliver genuine digital ...

11/08/2026

Please note that the 21st Annual Helen Joseph Memorial Lecture, scheduled for today, 11 August 2026, has been postponed due to inclement weather and widespread power outages.

We apologise for the short notice and any inconvenience this may cause. A new date for the lecture will be communicated as soon as it has been confirmed.

We thank you for your understanding and continued support.

08/08/2026

After Joshlin and Cwecwe, South Africa must rethink how we protect children.

How can we move from responding to tragedy to preventing harm before it happens?

In a new Sunday Times opinion piece, CSDA’s Prof Sadiyya Haffejee and Prof Leila Patel at the University of Johannesburg together with Oliver M**h, draw on research from the Communities of Practice for Child Wellbeing to highlight the importance of early identification, coordinated support and stronger community-based systems for protecting children.

Coordinated child protection efforts show measurable improvements in family wellbeing