Cape Town – South Africa is experiencing a critical shortage of social workers, and as World Social Work Day is commemorated on 18 March 2025, the urgency to address this issue has never been greater.
This year’s theme, “Strengthening intergenerational solidarity for enduring wellbeing,” emphasises the need to build strong communities through care, respect and shared wisdom between generations.
For Badisa, this theme is more than just a call to action – it’s a reality the organisation wrestles with daily. Nearly one million people were helped during the 2023/2024 financial year by Badisa’s services, with 249 954 receiving care services and 117 975 benefiting from child protection services. However, despite the increasing demand for social services, there simply aren’t enough social workers or funds to meet the need.
Funding crisis
Even with the urgent demand for more social workers, funding constraints continue to hinder progress in this sector. Referring to the 2025 national budget speech delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on 12 March, Ronel van Zyl, Director of Social Services at Badisa, notes the financial strain on vulnerable communities: “The increase in social grants was smaller, and along with the 0.5% VAT increase, it will put even more pressure on on all households and especially the vulnerable.”
To address this, Badisa is exploring various social business options to create sustainable funding models. However, government intervention is critical.
“Without additional funds, the sector simply cannot meet the growing demand for social work services. Employing more social workers is not a luxury, it is a necessity for the wellbeing of South Africa’s most vulnerable communities,” says van Zyl.
Growing demand for social service professionals
During a conference in September last year, Department of Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe stated: “The National Development Plan projects that South Africa requires 55 000 social service professionals by 2030 to meet the growing demand for social services. Currently, government employs 23 561 social service professionals, including social workers, auxiliary social workers, child and youth care workers, and community development practitioners.”
This shortfall implies that many vulnerable children, families and individuals in South Africa do not have access to much-needed support.
Systemic barriers hindering social workers
According to van Zyl, systemic challenges such as time constraints, excessive bureaucracy and lack of resources make it difficult for social workers to provide meaningful support.
“Social service professionals often do not have the capacity to engage meaningfully with caregivers, particularly in rural or farm communities where access to support structures is limited. Additionally, the highly regulated environment surrounding alternative care creates complex bureaucratic challenges, such as late birth registrations and grant applications, which are both cumbersome and time-consuming,” says van Zyl.
Badisa’s supervision policy
Badisa introduced a supervision policy last year to help social workers manage their caseloads more effectively and receive structured professional development. Says van Zyl, “There is a distinct difference in how entry-level and expert-level social workers are supported. While we have not yet measured the impact of this policy after 12 months, we are working to create a learning environment that encourages accountability and independent decision-making while providing essential guidance,” says Van Zyl.
While policies like these are helping to improve service delivery, they cannot replace the need for more social workers.
Invest in social workers for a better future
Van Zyl calls on policymakers, businesses and the public to recognise that social work is an essential service that requires urgent investment. She emphasises that, “If we do not act now, the consequences will be dire. Vulnerable children will be left without protection, families will struggle without support, and the cycle of poverty and trauma will continue.”
