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Pastoralism reorganised: Maasai resilience and governance in the shadow of mega-infrastructure in Tanzania
(Cogent Social Sciences- Taylor &Francis, 2026) Chambo, Makulangwa Jeremiah; Massoi, lucy Willy
Mega-infrastructure projects are widely promoted as engines of modernisation in Africa, yet their implications for pastoralist societies remain contested. this article examines how Tanzania’s Standard Gauge railway (SGr) has reshaped livelihoods, governance, and spatial practices among the Ilparakuyo Maasai in Kilosa District. using interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations, the study draws on lefebvre’s notion
of the production of space and resilience theory to analyze community responses. the findings show that the SGr has not displaced pastoralists but reorganised their practices through adaptation rather than transformation. Stations and adjacent settlements became economic hubs appropriated by women traders and youth entrepreneurs, with profits often reinvested in livestock, reinforcing pastoral continuity. resilience emerged through livelihood diversification, though unevenly distributed across households.
Governance appeared as a contested arena, where elders mediated disputes, women pressed for inclusion, and state regulations reshaped authority. the study argues that the SGR generates hybrid socio-spatial realities in which pastoralists assert agency, reorganise livelihoods, and renegotiate authority. By moving beyond binary narratives of disruption versus modernisation, it extends debates on infrastructure, resilience, and governance in African rangelands.
Assessment of factors influencing community health fund member’s satisfaction with treatment services offered through community health fund
(Mzumbe University, 2015) Swai, Denis F.
Background: In Tanzania, Community Health Fund (CHF) was initiated in 1996 with the aim of implementing a community Based Health Financing Scheme through volunteer membership contribution as additional income to improve access to quality health care service for marginalized rural community. The evaluation was conducted to assess factors that influencing Community Health Fund member‟s satisfaction with treatment services offered through Community Health Fund membership.
Methods: A cross sectional study design was employed that involved 153 respondents for which allowed collection of data that provided a descriptive estimates of the population parameters. The study was guided by Donabedian conceptual framework where by questionnaires were designed to assess structures, process of service delivery and treatment outcome as attributes of satisfaction. A sample size of 153 respondents was calculated by statalcl 13 (64-bit) within the effect size of 0.7– 0.8 one sample (Alpha = CI=95%, α=0.05, two-sided). Two health facilities were involved in the exit interview where by respondents were selected and interviewed based on their inclusion criteria.
Results: A bigger proportional of female 55(60%) and 40(60%) in Likombe and Mikindani compared to male 37(40%) and 21(34%). A big proportional of respondents revealed that structures of health facility include availability of adequate Health Care Providers (HCPs) and medicines influence their satisfaction (p=0.05). Most of respondents were happy with the quality of available medical supplies and it was statistically significant at satisfaction level (p=0.02). The process of service delivery indicate that CHF members spend more than one hour to receive treatment service in health facility from their first contact and there was significant association between time spent and satisfaction(p=0.02). However, significance association was found between happiness with treatment and overall satisfaction level with services (p=0.03) though members do not feel much difference from being a CHF member and other patients.
Conclusions: All three attributes - Structure of the health facility, process and treatment outcomes significantly influence CHF members satisfaction of treatment services provided through CHF membership. However, the availability of medicines and qualified HCPs have great influence in the Satisfaction with structures, while there is a significant influence of time in satisfaction with process of services provision and treatment results have significant association with service provided.
Tija za tohara kwa jamii za Kiafrika: Uchunguzi wa mhusika Omolo katika riwaya ya ua la faraja (2004)
(Journal of Kiswahili and Other African Languages, 2025) Fuluge, Adria; Duwe, Martina
Katika jamii nyingi za Kiafrika, tohara ni mchakato wenye thamani na tija kubwa kwa baadhi ya makabila, husuani kwa kijana wa kiume. Katika makabila hayo, asiyetahiriwa huonekana kuwa bado ni mtoto na hajakomaa kifikra na kiutu, ambapo huweza hata kutengwa katika kushirikishwa baadhi ya masuala ya kijamii. Kijana huyo kama umri wake ni mkubwa, huweza kudharauliwa na rika lake na hata waliopo chini yake. Sambamba na hilo, katika maisha halisi ya Waafrika, tohara huchukuliwa kwa thamani inayoweza kuendeleza na kuhifadhi utambulisho wa kitamaduni na kijamii. Kwao, tohara humfanya mtu atambulike kwa namna tofauti na ilivyokuwa awali. Kwa jumla, thamani ya tohara kwa Waafrika ni suala lililowashughulisha wataalamu wengi. Hata hivyo, pamoja na kuwepo kwa tafiti nyingi kuhusu tohara kwa Waafrika, bado tija za tohara kwa kufungamanisha na fasihi andishi haijamakinikiwa kwa umahususi wake. Kwa hiyo, makala hii inashughulikia jambo hilo kwa kumrejelea mhusika Omolo kutoka riwaya ya Ua la Faraja (2004). Data za matokeo haya zilipatikana maktabani kwa kutumia mbinu ya usomaji matini. Vilevile, misingi ya Nadharia ya Sosholojia ya Kifasihi imetumika katika mchakato wa kuchunguza, kuchanganua, na kuwasilisha data zilizozaa matokeo hayo. Mjadala unaonesha kwamba tohara katika maisha ya Waafrika ina tija mbalimbali kulingana na utoshelevu wa kaida zao. Makala hii inajadili tija nne; nazo ni: Kudumisha mila, kuleta heshima kwa mhusika, kujikinga na magonjwa, na kujenga ujasiri na ukakamavu.
Factors influencing the level of women participation in community development projects: A case of Kahama Town Council
(Mzumbe University, 2019) Lugendo, Vailet N.
This study intended to investigate the factors influencing the level of woman participation in community development projects. It was carried out in Kahama Town council. The emphasis was put on the bypass of women in execution of development projects through devolved participatory approach to development. Four specific objectives of the study were: to determine level of participation of women in community development projects at Kagongwa ward, examine socio cultural factors influencing the participation of women in community development projects, identify economic factors influencing the participation of women in community development projects and to establish the role of media in influencing women participation in community development project. The study utilized a case study design, with a sample size of 100 respondents where by mixed methods of research approach were used in data collection, data analysis and data interpretation. Questionnaire survey and interview methods were used to collect data. Two data analysis methods were employed; the content analysis for qualitative data and descriptive statistical analysis using a statistical package for the social sciences computer programmed (SPSS) version 20.0 for quantitative data. The finding of the study reveals that the level of women participation in community development projects at Kagongwa ward is medium. Social cultural factors such as social norms and values, gender roles and stereotyping, and attitude influence negatively on women participation in community development projects. Level of education has positive significance influence on women participation in community development projects. Furthermore, the study reveals that economic factors like income level and pre occupation of women affected the level of women participation in community development project. Media was observed to influence the level of women participation in community development projects. The study recommends that there should be improvements on gender awareness for men and women; capacity building for women training for both men and women and dissemination of information through media should be given priority.
The role of health sector basket fund on improvement of health services provision: A case of Nachingwea District Council, Lindi Region
(Mzumbe University, 2019) Mbago, Ngoma, T.
The study examined the implementation of Health Sector Basket Fund on improvement of health services provision in Nachingwea District Council. The study specifically, examined the trend of Health Sector Basket Fund disbursement for financial years, 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018, determined the activities supported by Health Sector Basket Fund implementation as planned in the Comprehensive Council Health Planning, and determined the perceived challenges of Health Sector Basket Fund implementation in the Nachingwea District Council. The study employed a single descriptive study design comprising the sample size of sixty (60) respondents including council health management team, health facilities in charges and their assistants. Moreover, simple random samplings were used as selection technique of the study. A quantitative research approach was employed in this study to collect information from the respondents easily and timely. The data collection tool used was a questionnaire which involved both closed and open ended questions. The descriptive statistics analyses were done with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21. The major findings of the study showed that, the trend of HSBF disbursement in three financial years 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 were Tsh. 401,727,651.87,Tsh. 503,277,000.00 and Tsh.428,394,800.00 respectively. The amounts were disbursed in two phases that is a half in every two quarters until the amount was finished and the results indicate that the council did not receive the Health Sector Basket Funds (HSBF) timely, and that the fund was sent to the council on quarterly system. That means, half of the budget needed for two quarters and another half of the amounts was received for the other last two quarters. The results also show that, the activities supported by Health Sector Basket Funds (HSBF) were implemented as planned in the Comprehensive Council Health Planning (CCHP). It also shows that, the major challenge in the implementation of Health Sector Basket Funds (HSBF) were delay in disbursement of funds and transport system. The study recommends that, the Health Sector Basket Fund (HSBF) improve the health services provision in Nachingwea Ditsrict Council. The government should insist the partners and donors who support the fund to disburse timely in order to rescue the consequences of health services provision in all councils.