BSW4802 Assignment 1
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
2025 (146826) - DUE 22
April 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, Essay Title: The Interplay of Stakeholders and the Role of Social Workers in South
African Social Welfare Policy
Introduction:
South Africa's journey towards a more equitable society necessitates robust and effective social
welfare policies and legislation. The formulation, analysis, and implementation of these crucial
instruments involve a complex interplay of various stakeholders, including Parliament and civil
society. Furthermore, social workers play a pivotal role in both enacting existing policies and
advocating for necessary changes. This essay will critically examine the roles of Parliament and
civil society in policy formulation, analyze how a policy analyst can critically assess and
improve social welfare policies using a relevant framework, and discuss the skills, strategies, and
roles of social workers in policy implementation and advocacy. Finally, it will consider the
relative importance of these two roles for social work practice in South Africa.
Question 1: The Role of Parliament and Civil Society in the Formulation of Policies and
Legislation
1.1 The Role of Parliament:
Parliament, as the legislative arm of the South African government, holds the primary
responsibility for formulating and enacting policies and legislation. Its role in this process is
multifaceted:
Initiation of Legislation: Legislation can be initiated by the executive branch
(government departments), individual Members of Parliament (MPs), or parliamentary
committees. Government departments typically draft bills based on their policy priorities
and mandates.
Deliberation and Debate: Once a bill is introduced, it undergoes a rigorous process of
deliberation and debate within the relevant parliamentary committees and the National
Assembly (and potentially the National Council of Provinces). This stage involves
scrutiny of the bill's content, potential implications, and alignment with the Constitution.
Public Hearings: To ensure public participation and gather diverse perspectives,
parliamentary committees often hold public hearings on significant pieces of legislation.
This allows civil society organizations, experts, and affected individuals to voice their
opinions and concerns.
Amendment and Voting: Based on the deliberations and public input, the bill may be
amended. Ultimately, a vote is taken in both houses of Parliament. If passed by both, the
bill is sent to the President for assent, after which it becomes an Act of Parliament (law).
Oversight and Scrutiny: Parliament also plays an ongoing role in overseeing the
implementation of policies and legislation through its various committees. They can hold
government departments accountable for their actions and review the effectiveness of
existing laws.
1.2 The Role of Civil Society:
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
2025 (146826) - DUE 22
April 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, Essay Title: The Interplay of Stakeholders and the Role of Social Workers in South
African Social Welfare Policy
Introduction:
South Africa's journey towards a more equitable society necessitates robust and effective social
welfare policies and legislation. The formulation, analysis, and implementation of these crucial
instruments involve a complex interplay of various stakeholders, including Parliament and civil
society. Furthermore, social workers play a pivotal role in both enacting existing policies and
advocating for necessary changes. This essay will critically examine the roles of Parliament and
civil society in policy formulation, analyze how a policy analyst can critically assess and
improve social welfare policies using a relevant framework, and discuss the skills, strategies, and
roles of social workers in policy implementation and advocacy. Finally, it will consider the
relative importance of these two roles for social work practice in South Africa.
Question 1: The Role of Parliament and Civil Society in the Formulation of Policies and
Legislation
1.1 The Role of Parliament:
Parliament, as the legislative arm of the South African government, holds the primary
responsibility for formulating and enacting policies and legislation. Its role in this process is
multifaceted:
Initiation of Legislation: Legislation can be initiated by the executive branch
(government departments), individual Members of Parliament (MPs), or parliamentary
committees. Government departments typically draft bills based on their policy priorities
and mandates.
Deliberation and Debate: Once a bill is introduced, it undergoes a rigorous process of
deliberation and debate within the relevant parliamentary committees and the National
Assembly (and potentially the National Council of Provinces). This stage involves
scrutiny of the bill's content, potential implications, and alignment with the Constitution.
Public Hearings: To ensure public participation and gather diverse perspectives,
parliamentary committees often hold public hearings on significant pieces of legislation.
This allows civil society organizations, experts, and affected individuals to voice their
opinions and concerns.
Amendment and Voting: Based on the deliberations and public input, the bill may be
amended. Ultimately, a vote is taken in both houses of Parliament. If passed by both, the
bill is sent to the President for assent, after which it becomes an Act of Parliament (law).
Oversight and Scrutiny: Parliament also plays an ongoing role in overseeing the
implementation of policies and legislation through its various committees. They can hold
government departments accountable for their actions and review the effectiveness of
existing laws.
1.2 The Role of Civil Society:
