African Journals Online
Eastern Africa Social Science Research Review
(EASSRR)

Vol. XIX No. 1 January 2003
ABSTRACTS

Democracy and Multiparty Politics in Africa
Recent Elections in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho

Denis Venter

Abstract: The shift from one-party to multiparty politics in many African countries has made the issue of democratisation a crucially equally important part of the development agenda. Efforts to create an economically enabling environment and build administrative and other capacities will be wasted if the political context is not favourable. This article¹ focuses on political developments in Zambia to illustrate how a government elected on a `democratic ticket' can become corrupted by the conscious development of a personality cult, and how the hunger for power can lead to the erosion of democratic values, electoral fraud, and the near breakdown of a relatively well-functioning multiparty system. A brief note on Zimbabwe is presented to amplify the Zambian case, and reform of the electoral system in Lesotho is outlined to suggest that the successful completion of elections on 25 May 2002 may serve as an excellent example of how, and under what conditions, `free and fair', multiparty elections can be conducted in an African country.

CHILD MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IN SLUM ENVIRONMENTS ALONG NAIROBI RIVER

Margaret Nyanchoka Keraka
Wellington Nguya Wamicha

Abstract: The problem that guided this study was that child mortality and morbidity disparities continue to be observed in the era of improved expansion of the provision of health care services. Some areas have low mortality and morbidity while others such as the slums of Nairobi have high. Various factors may account for this scenario. On the one hand, this would be because of uneven distribution of health facilities. On the other hand, environmental factors may be the major contributors to this high rate of morbidity and mortality. Environmental factors have been analysed in the context of socio-economic, socio-cultural and health environments.

The aim of this study was therefore to examine the impact of slum environments on morbidity and mortality profile in slum environments along Nairobi River. The main objectives were: first, to assess the influence of environmental factors on child morbidity and mortality, and second, to analyse the influence of the perception and behaviour patterns of slum dwellers on child mortality and morbidity.

The data used in this study was collected using in-depth interviews and extensive literature review. The key findings of the study included the fact that poverty is a major factor in child morbidity and mortality. It is because of low-income levels that the families concerned were not able to improve the sanitation that was in turn going to improve the health status of the children. The study therefore recommended that the government should give small loans to slum dwellers, which they can use to start income- generating activities. This can help generate some money that may improve childcare practices.

The Historical Origin of African Debt Crisis

Alemayehu Geda

Abstract: The literature about the origin of the African debt crisis lists a number of factors as its causes. The oil price shocks of 1973-74 and 1978-79, the expansion of the Eurodollar, a rise in public expenditure by African governments following rising commodity prices in the early 1970s, the recession in industrial countries and the subsequent commodity price fall, and a rise in real world interest rate are usually mentioned as major factors. Surprisingly, almost all the literature starts its analysis either in the early 1970s or, at best, after independence in the 1960s. The main argument in this paper is that one has to go beyond this period not only to adequately explain the current debt crisis, but also to propose its possible solution. The conclusion that emerges from such analysis is that the African debt problem is essentially a trade problem.