Department of Development Studies, Political Science and Public Administration, and History

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Acquiring Human Capital Skills through Labour Migrancy: The Case of Colonial Njombe District, 1900-1960s
(Hipatia Press, 2016-07-30) Mgaya, Edward
The migration of labourers to centres of mining, plantations and industrial production has been one of the most important demographic features of the African continent since its incorporation into the capitalist money economy. It is, however, surprisingly that the influence of this phenomenon on rural transformations remains largely unexplored. Most of studies have addressed the negative consequences of labour on the local communities. This is the impression that this paper aims to correct by using colonial Njombe as a case study. While not denying the detrimental impacts of labour migration, the paper integrates written and oral information to establish that such exclusive attribution of rural underdevelopment to labour migration was indeed a traditional way of viewing labour migration. Such views were mainly a result of macro-economic cost-benefit analysis that economists have always considered and emphasized upon. This article, therefore, is an effort to go beyond such economic arena by considering the acquisition of human capital particularly linking labour migration with western education and the spread of the Kiswahili language. Drawing from transformational approaches, this article argues that knowledge and skills that Njombe migrant labourers got from different work places, imbued them with elements which knowingly or unknowingly became part of the instruments for the wider rural transformations
Africa’s Leadership Challenges in the 21st Century: What Can Leaders Learn from Africa’s Pre-Colonial Leadership and Governance?
(RedFame, 2015-04-09) Poncian, Japhace; Mgaya, Edward
Africa continues to face serious development challenges despite recent record growth rates. Such challenges as dependency, corruption, underdeveloped infrastructure and production sectors, and leadership and governance are some of the impediments to Africa’s quest for sustainable and equitable development. Explaining such development challenges has continued to elude scholars. To the radical leftist scholars, Africa’s underdevelopment can adequately be explained by its forceful and uneven integration into the global economic system. However, with over fifty years of independence, the debate is increasingly focusing on Africa’s leadership as good explanation for its poverty and underdevelopment. This paper argues that the current poverty and underdevelopment of Africa have much to do with enabling conditions created by African leaders and proposes that addressing this requires Africans to go back to pre-colonial history where they can tap good lessons rather than continuing importing Western based models which may not necessarily fit into Africa’s unique characteristics.
At the Mid of Polarity: Rethinking Medium Farms as Solution to Vulnerability for Small-scale Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
(Alanya Academic Review Journal, 2018-02) Mgaya, Edward
Strategies to increase agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa have mostly been thought to occur through one of the two predominant pathways: large-scale commercial production or intensification of small holder plots. Considerable efforts have been made to further each of these two strategies. It is clear, therefore, that the efforts to go beyond such polarized academic debate on the key challenges to farm size in relation to food productivity is still wanting. Such polarization of the debate presents the obvious problem of limiting solutions by obscuring those that fall in the middle. It is in such a context that the argument for the expansion of medium-scale farming is lost. This article brings alive the lost in the debate about the expansion of medium scale farmers. Arguing from transitional model, the article reimagine medium farms as solution to vulnerability of small scale farmers and their food productivity.
At the Mid of Polarity: Rethinking Medium Farms as Solution to Vulnerability for Small-scale Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
(Alanya Academic Review Journal, 2018-02) Mgaya, Edward, S.
Strategies to increase agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa have mostly been thought to occur through one of the two predominant pathways: large-scale commercial production or intensification of small holder plots. Considerable efforts have been made to further each of these two strategies. It is clear, therefore, that the efforts to go beyond such polarized academic debate on the key challenges to farm size in relation to food productivity is still wanting. Such polarization of the debate presents the obvious problem of limiting solutions by obscuring those that fall in the middle. It is in such a context that the argument for the expansion of medium-scale farming is lost. This article brings alive the lost in the debate about the expansion of medium scale farmers. Arguing from transitional model, the article reimagine medium farms as solution to vulnerability of small scale farmers and their food productivity.
Christian-Muslim Relations in Tanzania: A Threat to Future Stability and Peace?
(Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2015) Poncian, Japhace
The contribution of effective electronic record management to fight corruption: Evidence from selected public service offices in Tanzania.
(Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Library and Information Associations- 2018, 2018) Manyerere, David; Manyerere, Juliana
It is undeniable fact that corruption practices in both public and private domains hinder the full realization of development of people in various aspects, in social, economic and political fronts. This paper attempts to show the contribution of effective electronic-record management systems to fight corruption in Tanzania particularly in hospitals, the judiciary and police force in order to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services. The paper is based on an extensive desk review of secondary data from relevant sources. The results show that there is a significant difference between the use of e-record management and its non-use in terms of addressing corruption practices done by public officials in the studied sectors. Special attribution is derived from the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices like Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFDs) machine, mobile telephones, Electronic Health Records (EHRs) systems and the like. This paper concludes that, in order to fight corruption, there is a need to establish and promote the use of electronic record management systems not only in hospitals, judiciary, police force, but also in all sectors of the economy within both public and private domains. This is essential to facilitate effective delivery of services to the citizens hence, address corruption practices. The study recommends further, that the government should take a leading role in terms of putting initiatives to ensure e-payment record management systems is adopted and used by all individuals as well as both public and private institutions throughout the country to promote sustainable socio-economic development.
Decentralisation of Health Systems and the Fate of Community Health Fund in Tanzania: Critical Review of High and Low Performing Districts
(2017) Mpambije, Chakupewa Joseph
The deterioration of health services provision in Tanzania from 1980s to 1990s made decentralization of health service provision through the Health Sector Reform (HSR) a necessity. HSR aimed at bringing better utilization of scarce resources,improved quality of health services, increasing user access and cutting rising costs. It is through HSR that health insurance schemes were introduced. Community Health Fund (CHF) came as a result of such efforts. The efficiency and effectiveness of CHF rests on district councils which are responsible for ensuring better performance of CHF. Although the Government of Tanzania targeted 85% ofthe population to be members of CHF, enrollment has remained as low as 9.2% by 2014. The most sticking problem is the variation in enrollment in different districts. There are districts with higher performance in CHF enrollment like Iramba (54%) and Bariadi(40.9%). Whereas, there are districts with very low enrollments in CHF like Liwale (8%), and Rungwe (6.5%). This paper is an effort to shed some light on this phenomenon of performance variation of CHF enrolment in districts. It argues that poor performing districts are constrained by their own weaknesses such as poor management and leadership capacities of Council Health Management Team (CHMT) and lack of motivation among health facility staff and allied health workers. Also, poor sensitization and mobilization of people to join CHF, as well as poor quality healthcare to people has deterred performance of CHF in some districts. The papers’ conclusion apart from offering recommendation also adds to the broader ongoing debate of decentralization process mainly through health insurance.
Decentralization of Health Service Provision in Tanzania: Are Local Government Authorities Improving Anyway? Evidence from Local Government Authorities Audit Reports
(Research Publish Journals, 2016-09) Mpambije, Chakupewa Joseph
The economic woes and crisis of the 1980s and 1990s made several countries turn to decentralization of health services as a panacea to the worsening health service provision. Like many other countries, Tanzania introduced decentralization system in health service provision. Through HSR, Local Government Authorities (LGAs) are empowered to run health service delivery while central government acts as an overseer by injecting financial resources to the LGAs. With slight improvements that have been recorded among the LGAs since the implementation of HSR, there is a staggering difference among LGAs between what was thought to be achieved in health service delivery and what is actually seen on the ground. Because the failure of LGAs to equitably deliver health service has been widely researched, this article focuses on the efficacy of the LGAs to make use of financial resources. Drawing data from LGAs Audit Reports for 2007/08-2013/14, the paper analyses the LGAs use of financial resource availed to them for health service delivery. The focus is on health development project/project of Community health Fund (CHF) and Primary Health Services Development Programme (PHSDP). The paper finds that the financial resources meant for health service provision is either put to use or no. Arguably, this is due to lack of political will, poor community participation, and mismanagement of public financial resources and endemic culture of corruption among LGAs.
Detriments of colonialism on indigenous conflict resolution: an analysis of Pakistan and Tanzania
(Taylor and Francis, 2018) Yousaf, Farooq; Poncian, Japhace
Since the process of decolonization started after the conclusion of the Second World War, a major victim of this process was indigenous cultures and social structures in most of the former colonies. This paper draws its analysis from postcolonial theory by considering the detrimental effects that colonialism has left on the culture and governance in tribal societies. The paper attempts to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on indigenous/traditional conflict transformation and peace strategies by studying the role of indigenous strategies in resolving conflicts in Pakistan and Tanzania. In Pakistan, the Pashtun Jirga is a council of elders that plays a significant role in mediating and resolving conflicts among Pashtuns, especially tribal Pashtuns. In Tanzania, two cases of extractive resource conflicts in North Mara and Mtwara show how these conflicts have been resolved and what role indigenous strategies played or could have played if they were to be effectively used. In both Pakistan and Tanzania cases, we find that indigenous strategies of peace and conflict transformation are an important and necessary ingredient to conflict resolution. However, despite their significance, indigenous strategies are hardly a priority for respective post-colonial governments and the international community.
Development Implications of Labour Migration for Origin Societies: The Case of Manamba of Njombe District, 1900-1960s’
(Tanzania Zamani Journal, 2021) Mgaya, Edward
For decades, labour migration scholarship in Africa has focused on social-economic and political problems instigated by colonial labour migration in the origin societies. Very little is available regarding migrants’ transformational agency. This paper discusses the role that migrant labourers (manamba) played in economic development in the Njombe district, Tanzania from 1900 to the 1960s. The paper argues that, apart from the apparent complications, labour migration also facilitated the development of the district in some ways depending on variations in the economic environment of the migrants’ homes and the areas they worked. Deriving from primary and secondary evidence the paper links labour migrants to cash crop production, agricultural innovations and entrepreneurial activities. It concludes that using the knowledge, experience and capital the migrants got in various workplaces, added with creativity, the labour migrants contributed considerably to the wider transformational process of bringing economic development to their places of origin.
Do Management and Leadership Practices in the Context of Decentralisation Influence Performance of Community Health Fund? Evidence From Iramba and Iringa Districts in Tanzania
(2016-09) Mpambije, Chakupewa Joseph; Maluka, Stephen
Background: In early 1990s, Tanzania like other African countries, adopted health sector reform (HSR). The most strongly held centralisation system that informed the nature of services provision including health was, thus, disintegrated giving rise to decentralisation system. It was within the realm of HSR process, user fees were introduced in the health sector. Along with user fees, various types of health insurances, including the Community Health Fund (CHF), were introduced. While the country’s level of enrollment in the CHF is low, there are marked variations among districts. This paper highlights the role of decentralised health management and leadership practices in the uptake of the CHF in Tanzania. Methods: A comparative exploratory case study of high and low performing districts was carried out. In-depth interviews were conducted with the members of the Council Health Service Board (CHSB), Council Health Management Team (CHMT), Health Facility Committees (HFCs), in-charges of health facilities, healthcare providers, and Community Development Officers (CDOs). Minutes of the meetings of the committees and district annual health plans and district annual implementation reports were also used to verify and triangulate the data. Thematic analysis was adopted to analyze the collected data. We employed both inductive and deductive (mixed coding) to arrive to the themes. Results: There were no differences in the level of education and experience of the district health managers in the two study districts. Almost all district health managers responsible for the management of the CHF had attended some training on management and leadership. However, there were variations in the personal initiatives of the top-district health leaders, particularly the district health managers, the council health services board and local government officials. Similarly, there were differences in the supervision mechanisms, and incentives available for the health providers, HFCs and board members in the two study districts. Conclusion: This paper adds to the stock of knowledge on CHFs functioning in Tanzania. By comparing the best practices with the worst practices, the paper contributes valuable insights on how CHF can be scaled up and maintained. The study clearly indicates that the performance of the community-based health financing largely depends on the personal initiatives of the top-district health leaders, particularly the district health managers and local government officials. This implies that the regional health management team (RHMT) and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) should strengthen supportive supervision mechanisms to the district health managers and health facilities. More important, there is need for the MoHSW to provide opportunities for the well performing districts to share good practices to other districts in order to increase uptake of the community-based health insurance.
Embracing Natural Gas Discovery and Extraction as a Blessing for Equitable and Sustainable Benefits to Tanzania
(IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2014) Poncian, Japhace
Entering in and sustaining a career in male-dominated jobs: an examination of female security guards’ experiences in Iringa region, Tanzania
(Int. J. Gender Studies in Developing Societies, 2017) Manyerere, David; Poncian, Japhace
This paper studies challenges confronting women while seeking to enter and sustain a career in the booming male dominated private security companies (PSCs). It uses the socialist feminist approach and qualitative interviews with female and male security guards, and PSC managers in Iringa, Tanzania to show that women seeking employment in PSCs are constrained by sexual harassment and exploitation as well as having to secure consent of their spouses before they can take up the job offers. Similarly, for those who make it into the PSCs, challenges such as tight and long-hour shifts and sexual harassment and exploitation are part of their daily experiences at work. The strategies devised to address these challenges and/or cope with them are not helping women. Moreover, while some challenges are common to both men and women, their sexual differences and burdensome domestic chores make women more vulnerable than men.
Explaining Election Violence in Tanzania: The Interplay Between the Union Politics and Electoral Administration and Management
(Organisation for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA), 2015) Poncian, Japhace
Exploring the Role of Youth Volunteerism towards Achievement of Local Development Initiatives in Iringa, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Development Studies (TJDS), 2019) Manyerere, David
The concept of volunteerism is increasingly becoming a popular phenomenon in the contemporary world as it unveils how community members at local, national, or international levels support their respective societies, nations, and the world at large to achieve various development targets. The role of the youth—being an active and energetic cohort—in accelerating local development projects through volunteerism cannot be overemphasized. This paper explores the contribution of the youth cohort in Iringa region, Tanzania, in supporting various local development initiatives that have significant positive impact to their respective societies in the achievement of development initiatives in various projects. Primary data were collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews techniques. The data were analysed using qualitative approach through the NVivo software. Findings demonstrate a clear and direct relationship between active youth participation in volunteerism activities and effective accomplishment of local development projects. Religious, school and community institutions were found to play a significant role to nurture the spirit of youth volunteerism. Notwithstanding challenges, youth volunteerism significantly facilitated the constructions of public infrastructures like hospitals, classrooms, and roads; as well as supporting the provision of various emergency services in their respective areas.
Extractive resource ownership and the subnational resource curse: Insights from Tanzania
(Elsevier, 2018) Poncian, Japhace
The resource curse thesis has dominated much of the recent extractive resource governance literature. Much of the focus on the resource curse has been at the national level around issues of how the curse manifests and what can be done to address it. Recently, a body of literature which scrutinises the resource curse at the subnational level has emerged to address the shortcomings of the mainstream approach to the curse. However, these subnational resource curse studies examine use similar approaches to those of the national resource curse studies—that is, the econometric, political economy and conflict lenses as well as that of decentralisation. This paper draws on insights from Tanzania’s extractive sector to examine how national resource ownership politics influence the occurrence of a resource curse at the subnational level. It argues that national ownership of extractive resources provides the central government with exclusive power to make decisions and shape governance processes which, in turn, trample on subnational community rights over resources and create the conditions for a resource curse at this subnational level. In effect, it shows that weak local governance and national politics combine to make so-called national ownership contribute to the presence of a subnational resource curse.
The Fallacy of Limited Financial Resources for Development in Tanzania: Evidence from Local Government Authorities Audit Reports
(Public Policy and Administration Research, 2015) Poncian, Japhace; Mpambije, Chakupewa Joseph
The Fallacy of Limited Financial Resources for Development in Tanzania: Evidence from Local Government Authorities Audit Reports
(2015) Poncian, Japhace; Mpambije, Chakupewa Joseph
Often times people are told by government officials that there are limited financial resources to finance different development projects/programmes and to provide assistance for self help. This view is also held by the academic world. This is usually taken as an absolute truth and usually as an excuse for the limited socioeconomic development of the citizens and societies. While this may be true, we propose a problematisation of this by gathering and making sense of evidence from the annual audit reports for the Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in Tanzania. The central aim of the proposed paper therefore is to show the fallacy of “the limited resources” by arguing that it is not a matter of limited resources but whether and how the available resources are put to intended use for development and poverty reduction goals. The relevance of this is to shift focus on development resources available to whether and how the extent to which the resources are put to use and toestablish whether LGAs are keeping people into poverty by using or not using the available resources.
Fifty Years of the Union: the Relevance of Religion in the Union and Zanzibar Statehood Debate
(The African Review Journal, 2014) Poncian, Japhace
Forest and Forestry in Tanzania: Changes and Continuities in Policies and Practices From Colonial Times to the Present
(Geographical Association of Tanzania, 2015-11) Mgaya, Edward
The forest sector has a very important role to play in Tanzania’s economy. Although, in absolute terms, their contribution to total gross domestic product (GDP) is relatively low, the country’s forests contain such a high level of resources that make Tanzania one of the richest and most biodiverse countries. Due to such importance, forestry has variably featured in Tanzanian policies from colonial time to the present. This paper, therefore, examines such policies relating to forests and forestry in Tanzania from the colonial to recent times. It argues that, although there has been a change in the approach from a preservationist approach in the colonial and postcolonial period towards a managerial/win-win approach in the current forest conservation, there is a resurgence of the preservationist tendency in the focus on managing forest solely to increase carbon stocks. Drawing evidences from various existing policy documents and other literature, this paper concludes that forestry policies have been, and continue to reveal a notable protectionist and reservationist propensity while also expecting revenues from them through various forest products. These policies, to a greater extent, have throughout resulted into conflicts between both colonial and post-colonial states and local population who demands free access to the forest resources for their survival.

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