Revue des arts et des sciences sociales

Turning Point in the Development of British Colonial Social Welfare in Zanzibar, 1940-1963

Abstract

Mkubwa Shaali Ali

This article examines the experience and influence of the British welfare interventions in Zanzibar. It elucidates the origins and implementation of the British colonial development and Welfare Act of 1940 and presents this legislation as an important landmark in the development of social welfare. The article employed qualitative approach and utilized archival and oral testimonies. This article argues that, while the British colonial development act of 1929 proved to be of limited significance, the introduction and implementation of colonial development and social Welfare Act of 1940 marked a significant turning point in the development of social welfare in Zanzibar. This was characterized by major developments in education, medical and health facilities as well as improvements in urban housing. The paper also maintains that although the provision of colonial social welfare services followed the traditional approach of focusing on urban areas, to some extent rural communities benefited from the services.