“Social welfare is at the heart of a democratic South Africa. «Social Welfare Policy in South Africa» is a long overdue book—a discipline’s charter in a single volume that critically analyses the development of social welfare and policy in South Africa, past and present. Written by two eminent South African scholars in the field, this book is going to become a seminal work: a must-read for any inquisitive and discerning person, whether a social worker, sociologist, NGO employee, government or civil service official, political scientist, or historian, who is interested in the how and why South Africa emerged from colonialism and apartheid into a caring society. An important saga which says much about the soul of South Africa.”—Donal P. McCracken, Senior Professor, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa