Browsing by Author "Kweka, Opportuna L."

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
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    African Migration Workshop: Understanding Migration Dynamics in the Continent Title: Rethinking the African Refugees’ Movements and Caring Practices in the Post Structural Adjustment Program Era
    (2007) Kweka, Opportuna L.
    For the past four decades refugee movements have dominated the international migration arena in Africa. However, theorizing migration has mainly concentrated on international labor migration. The new transnational migration theory for example, assumes porous borders and assumes that all migrants are capable of accessing resources in the places to which they migrate. I argue, on the contrary, that in the era of structural adjustment programs in Africa, migrants such as refugees are associated with immobility instead of transnational movements. As a result of restriction on their mobility, these migrants have adopted different forms of survival strategies such as repatriation, returnees, and recyclers. Through a historical account and a case study of Burundian refugees in camps in western Tanzania, I provide narratives of the refugees both on the causes of their movements, and also on the changes and challenges in their participation in different forms of survival strategies. I argue that the dynamics in the causes of movements of the refugees in camps and the new patterns of movement challenge our understanding of the category “refugee” in Africa and call for new ways of theorizing and studying about as well as caring for the refugees. The paper provides both theoretical and methodological contributions to studies on refugees in Africa.
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    Governance of Coastal Resources in Southern Tanzania: Comparing Beach Management Units and Marine Bay Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park
    (NEPSUS, 2019) Kweka, Opportuna L.; Katikiro, Robert E.; Minja, Rasul Ahmed; Namkesa, Faraja D.
    This paper compares two type of partnerships for management of coastal resources in Tanzania: Beach Management Units (BMUs) and the Mnazi Bay Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park (MBREMP). It examines their configuration of actors, governance systems and sustainability outcomes. Drawing from a triangulated analysis of interviews, focus groups, surveys, oral histories, participant observation and secondary data, the paper provides a mapping of the actors involved in these partnerships and their networks; and examines their legitimacy in terms of input, process, output and social and ecological outcomes as perceived by local communities living. Preliminary findings suggest that neither partnership seem to have yielded the expected socio-economic and ecological outcomes. Both face governance challenges related to structural, financial and participatory failures. Both are poorly equipped and the funds accrued from fines and fees are not enough to support alternative livelihood activities or provide alternative fishing gear. Communities see these partnerships as focusing on conservation and as having failed to address major social and economic needs. The structures of the BMUs and MBREMP need to be revised thoroughly to improve the actual role of communities and fishers in the governance of coastal resources. This would improve a sense of ownership and increase cooperation and trust. The benefits accrued from the income resulting from fees or fines must be transparent and shared broadly, no matter how small, as it would improve stewardship. Another important way to support fishers and limit pressure on resources near to shore would be to facilitate access to boats and gear to allow them to fish in the deep sea.
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    “I Eat Two Meals per Day” Impact of Climate Variability on Eating Habits among Households in Rufiji District, Tanzania: A Qualitative Study
    (BioMed Central, 2016-08-08) Saronga, Naomi J.; Mosha, Idda H.; Kessy, Anna T.; Ezekiel, Mangi J.; Zizinga, Alex; Kweka, Opportuna L.; Onyango, Paul; Kovats, Sari
    Background Improved understanding of the influence of climate variability on eating habits is required to manage health outcomes that could be produced. Agriculture production is the main source of income to people in Rufiji district, where communities produce food for household and also for income. Effects of climate variability and weather extremes include occurrence of floods and prolonged dry seasons, which are recently reported to be very frequent in Africa continent, affecting food production. Prolonged dry seasons as well as frequent floods have been reported to destroy cultivated food crops in Rufiji district. However, there is little evidence on climate variability effects on household food security and their eating habits in Tanzania. Therefore, this study assessed the influence of climate variability impacts such as prolonged dry seasons and floods on the eating habits of Tanzanian rural households. Results Study findings showed that respondents recognized changes in seasonal trends such as rainfall pattern and increase in temperature in the area. Drought and floods reduce food production and cause shortages in households. Low and poor harvest of food crops is the major contributing factor in their farms of rice and maize, the main staple food crops grown amidst prolonged dry seasons. They reported existence of household food shortage which was not there 10 years ago. Participants developed adaptation mechanisms that included reducing food quantity, eating of new meals which were not eaten before as a main meal such as cooked unripe mangoes and stiff porridge. Household members decided to change eating habits as an adaptation strategy to the situation of food shortage. Some discussants acknowledged reducing number of meals, eating two meals a day instead of three or four as it was 10 years ago. Conclusion Climate variability has led to reduced amount of annual rainfall, thus affecting food productivity and consequently food shortages and changes in dietary habits among the people in Rufiji. Additional research is warranted to assess the impacts of climate variability on nutritional quality of meals.
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    On Whose Interest is the State Intervention in Biofuel Investment in Tanzania?
    (CSCanada, 2012) Kweka, Opportuna L.
    Biofuel investment in Tanzania is spearheaded by foreign direct investors. The assumption behind increasing foreign direct investment in the country is that they enable capital flow, skills and technology transfers and create employment. Studies on foreign direct investment pointed out that, state intervention is needed to ensure that profits accrued from the investments benefit countries hosting these investments. Despite state intervention in biofuel investments in the country studies have reported that the investments have negatively impacted communities. The aim of this paper is to determine the nature of state intervention in the process of biofuel investment in Tanzania, using case studies of Kisarawe, Bagamoyo, Rufiji, and Kilwa districts. Eight villages were chosen, two from each district. Interviews were conducted with villagers and officials working in government institutions and biofuel companies. A review of minutes of village meetings which discussed investors’ requests for land from the villages was conducted. Findings reveal that there was a strong state intervention to assist investors to get land from villagers, and lack of, or less state intervention is seen when villagers demand for compensation and asking investors to fulfil their promises.
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    Population, Land Use and Environment: Research directions
    (Taylor & Francis, 2007-02) Kweka, Opportuna L.
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    Understanding the Experiences and Challenges of Child-Headed Households and the Role of Social Grants in South Africa
    (School of Social Work, University of Zimbabwe, 2012-07-07) Mturi, Akim J.; Sekudu, Johannah; Kweka, Opportuna L.
    Research conducted in South Africa in the past two decades has played a key role in understanding the experiences and challenges of children living in child-headed households (CHH). The government of South Africa has taken steps to address the plight of CHH by establishing relevant policies. This article reports on the progress made in this regard and identifies gaps that require attention. It is based on a qualitative study conducted in the North-West province of South Africa in 2011. The aim of the study was to establish whether the government efforts had translated into an improvement in the lives of the children living in CHH. The results showed that the main challenges of children living in CHH revolved around accessing of basic needs. This study proffered a number of recommendations including that authorities should ensure that the CSG is made more accessible, heads of CHH should be allowed to receive the grant directly and that social workers should be empowered to effectively deal with CHH.