Journal of Social Development in Africa (1994), 9,2,3-4 
Editorial 
There are several themes in this issue of the Journal. The article by M0ller et al 
considers the positive contribution that informal clubs have played in South Africa 
in dealing with the problem of youth alienation. This comprehensive article traces 
the development of these clubs over a five year period. Youth clubs played a 
significant role during the apartheid era when they were one of the only means by 
which youth could find a positive experience in the face of severe disruptions in 
their education and lack of opportunities in the job market. This role continues into 
the present where the opportunities for developing personal skills andrelationships 
is one of the most attractive features of youth clubs. The article notes that positive 
peer education, group cohesiveness, mutual respect and a common sense of 
purpose may have strengthened democratic values of social tolerance and respect 
- worthwhile values in the newly democratic South Africa. 
The second article by Osei-Hwedie continues a discussion of the serious 
problem of AIDS, addressed in previous issues of the Journal. The author provides 
an African perspective in viewing some of the psychosocial issues involved, 
although he notes that many of the issues are similar to those experienced 
elsewhere, such as actual or feared rejection by family and friends and an overwhelming 
experience of stress and depression following the diagnosis. The article 
also explores some of the socioeconomic consequences of ADDS, considers 
relevant ethical issues and the need for special education and community programmes 
to counter the disease. The serious nature of the pandemic within Africa 
and its rapid spread within Africa makes AIDS one of the most significant counters 
to development on the continent and is of special concern to this Journal. Any 
further contributions on this topic are welcomed. 
Anyanwu's article links the themes of education, gender and access to finance. 
The author considers the disadvantaged position of women in Nigerian society, 
aggravated by the difficulty they experience in gaining access to bank credit, a 
crucial disadvantage due to the consequences involved - the inability to develop 
and improve their socioeconomic status. The author develops the argument that 
this disadvantage is brought about through lack of opportunity in the educational 
sphere - which leads to poor literacy levels and a lack of awareness generally of 
the benefits of such facilities. Certain key recommendations are made which are 
intended to improve women's participation in the national economy and bring 
about a more equitable dispensation. 
Kishindo examines the need for family planning within Malawi; for example 
he notes that some of the consequences of rapid population growth are high unem-
4 Editorial 
ployment, overcrowding in schools and hospitals, the development of squatter settlements 
and an increasing shortage of arable land. Although the child spacing 
programme in Malawi has concentrated on women as its target group, Kishindo 
points out that this will not achieve the desired success unless men are also 
involved: the family planning messages need to appeal to the male's culturally 
defined role as family head, provider and decision-maker in order to persuade him 
that contraception and the smaller family are worthwhile objectives in improving 
the quality of life. 
Anderson etal examine the need for a model of social work utilising what they 
term "human focused" or social development concepts. This requires reconceptualisation 
of social work education and practice that will enable practitioners to deal 
with the many and varied crises within Africa- some of which are explored in this 
issue: AIDS, breakdown of the extended family structure and increasing poverty. 
A human focused development philosophy would include as its goals an improvement 
in the quality of life through a variety of strategies. Principally these 
encompass an awareness of the strengths and abilities of people; in this context the 
authors delineate an empowerment model for practice. This model proposes the 
notion of assisting individuals to identify their concerns within a 'shared' political 
and social context, rather than these remaining as isolated individual problems. 
The authors advocate the development of competencies, skills and resources to 
assist the 'client system* in overcoming oppressive situations. 
Maforah explores the linkbetween poverty and health in the rapidly urbanising 
cities of the developing world, with an emphasis on the South African situation. 
The author notes that due to the harsh reality of the urban environment, the 
weakening of traditional family structures has led to an increase in the numbers of 
female-headed households. Maforah is particularly concerned about the effect that 
poverty has on women's health, including lack of control over reproduction and 
general malnutrition. She points out that mass poverty is the single most powerful 
inhibitor of social and economic development which requires a political approach 
at the highest government levels in order to redress. The paper ends on a note of 
hope, outlining the new Reconstruction and Development Programme with which 
the ANC government aims to improve living conditions through improved health 
care and social services.