This book is written by Southern African social welfare, social work, social development, social security and social policy academics, practitioners and advocates who have varying degrees of experience. The chapters are examined through different theoretical lenses and historical perspectives. The book focuses on the pre-colonial period – a golden thread running through the chapters.

Furthermore, the authors provide a deep and critical reflection of social welfare, social work, and related disciplines during the colonial era when Western countries’ capture and oppression of Africa characterised the continent’s history, and the post-colonial era, characterised by a deliberate move by Africa’s political administrations to focus on nation-building and to attempt making Africa a global player.