Redefining the Social Policy Discourse

African Perspectives for a Sustainable Continental Future

Inbunden, Engelska, 2026

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This volume provides a comprehensive examination of social policy approaches across the African continent, critically engaging with both theoretical foundations and practical implementations. It brings together diverse perspectives that challenge conventional social policy paradigms while proposing contextually appropriate alternatives rooted in African realities and epistemologies. The volume looks at social policy from multiple dimensions: from theoretical debates and historical trajectories to sectoral innovations and emerging challenges. In so doing, it showcases transformative pathways for inclusive development through effective policies and practical implementation.The volume discusses both persistent structural constraints and innovative opportunities for transformation, resilience, and sustainability in social provisioning. Through case studies spanning healthcare, education, food security, resource governance, land reform, informal economies, and youth development, it highlights how locally grounded approaches can deliver meaningful outcomes despite significant constraints. It advances the Transformative Social Policy (TSP) framework as a paradigm that views social policy as a multidimensional instrument for societal transformation through production enhancement, social protection, redistribution, reproduction, and social cohesion functions. It provides foundational perspectives into the underpinnings of Africa's social policy landscape, the lingering impact of colonial legacies, and opportunities for transformative change that centres African agency and knowledge systems.This volume is of interest to researchers, social policy scholars, development practitioners, civil society organisations, and policymakers committed to reimagining and implementing more effective, equitable, and contextually appropriate social policy solutions across the African continent.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2026-06-22
Mått155 x 235 x undefined mm
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor441
FörlagSpringer Nature Switzerland AG
ISBN9783032240668

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Emmanuel Ndhlovu is a Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He holds a PhD (2021), MA (2017) (Cum Laude), and BA Honours (2013) degrees in Development Studies from the University of South Africa. He also holds a BA Honours degree in English Studies (2008) from the University of Zimbabwe. His research interests cover a wide range of topics, including agrarian political economy, food systems, food security, land reform, agriculture and agribusiness, and social policy. Emmanuel is the author of the book Agriculture, Autonomous Development and Prospects for Industrialisation in Africa. He has also published over 40 journal articles, over 50 book chapters, and co-edited eight books. Clement Chipenda (PhD) is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of South Africa's College of Graduate Studies, where he contributes his expertise to the SARChI Chair in Social Policy. He is a co-investigator in research project ‘The Social Policy Dimensions of Land and Agrarian Reform in International Perspective,’ as well as the Social Policy in the Post Covid-19 Pandemic Era: Investigating a Transformative and Gender-Sensitive Framework in South Africa, His research interests span a diverse yet interconnected range of topics, including agrarian political economy, agro-food systems, transformative social policy, children’s rights and child protection, social security, urban and rural sociology, as well as youth and gender studies.

Redefining the Social Policy Discourse in Contemporary Africa.- PART I: THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS.- Beyond External Paradigms: Theorising Transformative Social Policy through Thandika Mkandawire and Jimi Adesina's Vision for Post-Crisis African Development.- Rethinking Gender, Social Policy and Development with Thandika. A Transformative Social Policy Perspective .- Rethinking and Unthinking Social Policy in Africa: Towards Decolonisation and Prospects for Inclusive Development.- PART II: SECTORAL INNOVATIONS.- From Denial to Engagement: Tanzania's Pandemic Response and Lessons for Inclusive Health Policy Development.- Political Economy of COVID-19 Social Protection in Southern Africa.- In Pursuit of a Future Healthy Nation: Post Covid 19 Kenyan Healthcare Social Policy Review and Re-alignment.- Ethical and Technological Innovations for Social Protection in Africa.- Exploring the interplay among food and nutrition social policy actors in Senegal from 1918 to 2021.- Agricultural Market Participation and Welfare in Rural Zimbabwe: Land Reform as a Social Policy Instrument.- PART III: CROSS-CUTTING THEMES (CIVIL SOCIETY, INFORMAL ECONOMIES AND GENDER).- Civil Society as a Catalyst for Inclusive Governance: Examining the Role of Non-State Actors in Shaping Social Policies in South Africa.- The Unseen Architects: Civil Society's Role in Social Policy Innovation Across Africa.- Informal Economies and Transformative Social Policy in Sub Saharan Africa: Bridging Critical Gaps.- Loans Acquisitions and Repayments among Rural Women Participating in Informal Economics of Village Community Banks (VICOBAs) in Busega District, Tanzania.- Transforming Masculinity and Mental Health in Rural Southern Africa: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Transformation and Social Policy in Zimbabwe and South Africa.- From policy to practice: Interventions for learners with disabilities in South Africa.- PART VI: VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.- The Interface of Social Development and Drug Abuse Among Youths in Southern Africa: A Rehabilitative Approach.- Transformative Pathways to Children's Rights: A Social Policy Analysis in Rural Zimbabw.- PART V: SYNTHESIS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS.- Conclusion: Towards Reframing Social Policy for Inclusive Development.