History of the communication hub of the lake zone: a case study of Mwanza town, 1900-1980

This study examined how history has influenced the development of Mwanza town into a magnetic communication hub of the Lake Zone and the impact thereof, from 1900 to 1980. The study examined the major landmarks for the evolution of Mwanza town as a magnetic communication hub of the Lake Zone in reference to transport system from the colonial period to post-colonial period in and around Mwanza town. This study was guided by two theories: the Central Place Theory which argues that, central place is the place where services such as administration, industry, banking, transport and social services are available and the surrounding regions benefit from those services. The second theory was the World System Theory which stipulates that, the development of urban centers in Africa is a consequence of the interaction between the periphery and the developed world which began from the fifteenth century to the present. This qualitative method supplied deeper information concerning the evolution of Mwanza town as the communication hub of the Lake Zone, from 1900 to 1980. Also, it enabled the researcher to analyze contributions of development of transport system towards the growth of Mwanza town from the stated period. The study has shown that the position of Mwanza town as a hub of railway, roads, marine and air services in the Lake Zone has influenced development of commerce, industry and informal economic activities within Mwanza town. This study stressed that, the interconnectedness of Mwanza town with other parts of Mwanza town , Territory (Tanzania), East African colonies and overseas through marine, railway, road and air transport since the colonial period has contributed greatly to its development. The study found that, as Mwanza town began to develop as a hinterland port in Lake Victoria during the German colonial period, economic activities particularly commerce and trade also began. It was also revealed that, the further development of Mwanza town as the communication hub took place during the British colonial period. During this period, Mwanza town witnessed the establishment of roads, railway and air services which linked the town with other parts of Mwanza, territory and East African colonies of Kenya and Uganda. It was also the period in which Mwanza town developed and served as a commercial, industrial and service center of the Lake Province. The expansion of roads, railway, marine and air transport was the cornerstone towards the growth of Mwanza town during the British colonial period and later after independence. The study collected archival sources and oral information and secondary sources. This paper argues that the development of Mwanza town is a result of interrelated historical, political and social forces which took place over the stated period. It is understood that when one town develops faster than others, it means there is a distinct peculiarity that makes it an attractive place over other areas. Mwanza is one of the towns in Tanzania which developed as a result of distinct peculiarities. One of them is its role as the communication hub of the Lake Zone since the colonial period.