To many, Social Work profession is grossly misrepresented and poorly
portrayed, but to Bethuel Mokoena (31), Social Work profession means having an
honest dialogue with people, a passion for helping people and provide
protection, support and assistance to individuals, families and children who
are vulnerable, in need or not lucky enough to have shelters. It means
discussing matters in the complete absence of judgement.
 
A young and vibrant Social Worker from Bophelong near Vanderbijlpark
says he was raised in an environment where everybody had a little hope about
him that one day he might reach great heights in life. He says being raised in
a poverty afflicted family never stopped him from chasing his dreams.
 
He said though his upbringing was never an easy one, but today he thanks
people who taught him the value of education (his mother and grandmother). He
said they made it possible for him to study. “I am a product of government
social grant and one of children who literally understand what it feels like to
go to bed without food”, he said.
 
Mokoena remembered how he endured a lot of mockery and demeaning remarks
from his peers because of his slow learning ability. “I failed so many times
during my school days, I was regarded as a dumb child who does not do school
work and a bully. I used to be known to repeat grades but I never lost hope
because of courage and resilience in me, and the level of poverty in the family
was driving me not to give up.
 
After passing matric in 2008 I obtained the Gauteng Department of Social
Development scholarship to study social worker at the North-West University.
But scholarship was suspended in 2011 due to my constant failing”. He said
Social Work is a four-year degree but it took him six years to complete.
 
“I finally completed my degree in 2015 and joined the department in the
same year as a qualified Social Worker under Victim Empowerment Programme which
I found very exciting. I am so grateful for what the department has done for me
and I am willing to impart the knowledge to the society”, said Mokoena. He said
all difficulties made him fall in love with social work profession and he
started having passion to help other people. “I want to change people’s lives
who are growing up fatherless and less fortunate like me”.
 
Mokoena says every day, Social Workers make unique contribution to
society, forming social solutions with those who use services, their families
and communities. But much of this work often goes unrecognized or is overlooked
because people simply don’t understand the value of Social Workers in society.
 
He said he regarded the profession as dynamic, challenging and has a lot
of problems which need people with courage to deal with social problems which
are not one size fits all. “Being a social worker is like to be a hope to the hopeless”,
he said.