Dr Tawanda Masuka

Qualifications

• PhD in Social Work (University of Pretoria, South Africa);
• Master of Social Work (University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe)
• Bachelor of Social Work Honours degree (University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe)

Research Interests

• Child poverty, child participation, asset-based community development, developmental social work and decolonisation of social work

Competencies

• Teaching, research, leadership, teamwork, analytical, problem-solving and adaptability.

Leadership positions

• Director, Social of Social Work, Women’s University in Africa
• Past Mashonaland Provincial Chairperson, National Association of Social Workers-Zimbabwe

Community Engagements

• External Examiner for Master in Social Work dissertations for the North West University and Walter Sisulu University (both South Africa),
• Editorial Committee member for the Social Work Journal (University of Stellenbosch, South Africa)
• Peer Reviewer for the following journals;
• Journal of Social Development in Africa (Midlands State University, Zimbabwe), Journal of Human Rights and Social Work (United States),
•  Social Inclusion Journal (Portugal)
• Journal of Social Policy, Social Change and Development (Thailand)

Publications

1. Masuka, T., Sibanda, S., & Tladi-Mapefane, O. 2026. “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”: Asset-Based Community Development as a Pathway to Integrated Social Protection for Sustainable Child Protection in Zimbabwe. Social Sciences, 15(4), 267. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15040267
2. Dindimanga, S. & Masuka, T. 2024. Taking stock of youth participation in climate adaptation: A case study of ACTION 24, Zimbabwe. Commonwealth Youth and Development, https://doi .org/10.25159/ 2663-6549/15938
3. Masuka, T. 2015. Transforming Social Work in Zimbabwe from Social Control to Social Change. The Social Work Practitioner-Researcher (now Southern African Journal of Social Work and Social Development), 27(2):204-219, ISSN: 1011-2324.
4. Masuka, T. 2014. The New Constitution of Zimbabwe and its Implications for Social Workers. Journal of Social Welfare and Human Rights, 2(1):29- 40, ISSN: 2333-5939.
5. Masuka, T. 2013. Poverty and child abuse in Zimbabwe: a social work perspective. Child Abuse Research: A South African Journal, 14(1):82-88, ISSN: 1562-1383.
6. Masuka, T. & Banda, R.G. 2013. The systematic marginalization of women in conflict resolution initiatives in Zimbabwe: The Case of the GPA. Southern Peace Review Journal 2(1) Special Issue with OSSREA Zimbabwe Chapter: 56-74, ISSN: 2227-8974.
7. Masuka, T., Banda, R.G., Mabvurira, V & Frank, R. 2012. Preserving the Future: Social Protection Programmes For Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2(12): 37-59, ISSN: 2221-0989.

Book Chapters

1. Masuka, T. & Zinyemba, L. 2025. Ecological-systems perspective as the theoretical framework for school social work practice in Zimbabwe and beyond. In Mupedziswa, R., Muridzo, N.G., & Simbine, S. (Eds). School Social Work in Sub-Saharan Africa: Issues, Challenges and Prospects. Rheinfelden, Switzerland: International Federation of Social Workers. ISBN: 978-3-906820-33-0.
2. Masuka, T. & Nyandoro, T. 2023. Towards decolonisation of social work practice in response to the drug problem in Africa. In Twikirize, J.M., Tusasiirwe, S. & Mugumbate, R. (Eds). Ubuntu African Philosophy and decolonising social work fields of practice in Africa. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003330370-22.

Conference Papers

1. Masuka T. 2026. Reimaging social work practice in the field of drug and substance abuse in Africa. Paper presented at the Joint Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development theme Harambee For Sustainable Futures on 26-29 June 2026 at Kenya International Conference Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.
2. Masuka, T. 2024. The role of Ubuntu in decolonising social work in the field of drug abuse in Africa. Paper presented at the DAAD/ICSD Social Work and Social Development symposium theme Decolonising African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS) on 14/15 October 2024 at Cresta Lodge, Harare.
3. Masuka, T. 2015.The New Global Definition of Social Work: Implications on social work education and practice in Zimbabwe. Paper presented during the Council of Social Workers Annual Conference and Summer School in April 2015 at Golden Peacock Hotel, Mutare.
4. Masuka, T. & Banda, R.G. 2012. Moving with time, introducing evidence-based social work education in Zimbabwe through utilisation of Information, Communication Technologies (ICTs). Paper presented during the ZIMCHE Research and Intellectual Expo in September 2012 at the University of Zimbabwe, Harare.