Department of Social Work and Criminology, University of Pretoria

27/10/2026

We are looking forward to Prof Bila’s inaugural lecture tomorrow!

For those who would like to join us online, you can attend via Microsoft Teams using the link below:

🔗 https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3550636096235113?p=sC4kBjgEidwSAvz2p2

We will also be going live on our page, so you can tune in and be part of this special occasion.

We look forward to connecting with you all tomorrow!

27/10/2026

On Friday 23 October, the Department of Social Work and Criminology hosted a symposium titled “Towards a New Beginning: Partnerships, Advancing Correctional Excellence through Academic Collaboration.”

Read more about the event in the article by Dr Laetitia Coetzee below.

26/10/2026

We proudly congratulate Dr Kgole and Mrs Phiri on achieving the NQF Level 8 Certificate in Strengthening Postgraduate Supervision.

The certificate was awarded through Rhodes University’s Centre for Postgraduate Studies, in collaboration with the University of Pretoria’s Department of Research and Innovation (DRI), during UP DRI Week which took place from the 19th - 22nd of this month.

This achievement reflects a commitment to continuous professional development, academic excellence and strengthening postgraduate supervision to support and nurture the next generation of researchers.

We celebrate Dr Kgole and Mrs Phiri for investing in their professional growth and contributing to the development of a strong research culture within higher education.

Congratulations on this important milestone!

16/10/2026

Today, we celebrate our Head of Department, Prof Nontembeko Bila, and recognise the leadership, dedication and commitment she brings to our department.

Prof Bila, your leadership inspires growth, encourages collaboration and creates opportunities for academic excellence and professional development. We appreciate the guidance, vision and passion with which you lead, as well as your continued commitment to advancing our department.

Thank you for your support, for standing behind your team, and for the meaningful difference you make through your leadership. Your contribution helps create an environment where people can grow, collaborate and work towards a shared vision.

On this special day, we wish you a wonderful Boss’s Day filled with appreciation, happiness and recognition for all that you do. Thank you for always leading with purpose and kindness.

14/10/2026

On Friday, 2 October 2026, our second-year Social Work students implemented awareness campaigns at the Piazza on Hatfield Campus as part of the community work component of their curriculum.

The campaigns addressed a range of socioeconomic issues identified in their designated communities, including Groenkloof, Prinshof, Sunnyside, Arcadia and Hatfield. Through these initiatives, students had the opportunity to translate classroom learning into practice, engage with social challenges and contribute to community awareness.

The initiatives were strengthened through partnerships with several stakeholders, including Brooklyn SAPS, COSUP, Elim Gospel Church, Tshwane Child Welfare, CASI and others. These collaborations highlight the importance of partnerships in addressing complex social challenges and promoting community wellbeing.

We are incredibly proud of our students for their thoughtful planning, commitment and efforts to make a meaningful impact. We also extend our sincere appreciation to all the stakeholders who partnered with and supported the students in bringing these initiatives to life.

Through experiential learning and community engagement, we continue to nurture future social workers who are responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.

13/10/2026

We are proud to announce the inaugural lecture of our Head of Department, Professor Nontembeko Bila.

Her lecture, titled “The Isiduli Framework: Ubuntu and the Social Work Architecture of Mental Health,” reflects an important contribution to conversations on decolonising mental health, advancing Ubuntu-centred approaches and reimagining social work practice.

We celebrate this significant academic milestone and invite colleagues, students, alumni and members of the broader community to join us for this special occasion.

📅 28 October 2026

📌 Please see the invitation below for further details. The RSVP link will be included in the comments.

07/10/2026

We are pleased to share an invitation to Wazee Day 2026, hosted by the Association of Schools of Social Work in Africa (ASSWA) in collaboration with the Africa Social Work and Development Network (MTANDAO).

Under the theme “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” the event will feature Prof Stephan Geyer from the Department of Social Work and Criminology, presenting alongside Dr Elizabeth Ajayi, a former postdoctoral fellow of the Department.

The details of the event are as follows:

📅 Friday, 9 October 2026
⏰ 14:00 SAST
💻 Online | All are welcome
🔗 Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/keyMUyzrTcCTls5Hou9wzg

Join this important conversation on older persons, longevity and building stronger systems for ageing in Africa.

07/10/2026

We’re excited to announce that the RSVP deadline for our Student-Led Webinar for World Mental Health Day has been extended to Friday, 9 October 2026!

🔗 RSVP: https://forms.gle/rpAyg7Get4K4gTDu6

Please continue to share this invitation with your networks, colleagues, fellow students, and anyone who may be interested.

Let’s keep amplifying student voices and creating spaces for meaningful conversations about mental health.

Don’t miss out, RSVP and share!

The Department of Social Work and Criminology invites you to join us for an important conversation marking World Mental Health Day.

This year, we turn our attention to decolonising mental health through the Ubuntu lens, creating space for student voices, lived experiences and more inclusive approaches to mental health and recovery.

Interested in being part of this meaningful conversation? See the poster below for more information about the webinar and programme.

📌 The RSVP link is available in the comments section.

Let’s amplify voices, challenge dominant perspectives and reimagine mental health care through the spirit of Ubuntu.

05/10/2026

The Department of Social Work and Criminology invites you to join us for an important conversation marking World Mental Health Day.

This year, we turn our attention to decolonising mental health through the Ubuntu lens, creating space for student voices, lived experiences and more inclusive approaches to mental health and recovery.

Interested in being part of this meaningful conversation? See the poster below for more information about the webinar and programme.

📌 The RSVP link is available in the comments section.

Let’s amplify voices, challenge dominant perspectives and reimagine mental health care through the spirit of Ubuntu.

01/10/2026

We are pleased to announce that the Department of Social Work & Criminology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, South Africa has entered into a collaboration with the 13th International Conference on Women’s Studies (WCWS 2027), organized by TIIKM.

Prof. Nontembeko Bila (DPhil), Head of Department, Social Work & Criminology, Faculty of Humanities at the University of Pretoria, will serve as the University Coordinator for this collaboration.

📅 Dates: 26–28 May 2027
📍 Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia
🎟️ Promo Code: UPO01 — unlocks an exclusive collaborative discount for University of Pretoria delegates
🗓️ Abstract Deadline: 19th November 2026

Faculty members and researchers interested in participating are encouraged to review the following resources:
🔗 Conference Website: https://womenstudies.tiikm.com/
🔗 Call for Papers: https://womenstudies.tiikm.com/call-for-papers/
🔗 Abstract Template: https://womenstudies.tiikm.com/abstract-here/
🔗 Abstract Guidelines: https://womenstudies.tiikm.com/abstract-guidelines/

We warmly invite all interested faculty and scholars to submit their abstracts and contribute to this important global dialogue on gender justice and women’s studies.

Check the abstract guidelines for The Women's Studies Conference in Cambodia. Submit your research and join the Conference on Women 2027.