what are the reasons for the rise Social and Welfare Association

The Rise of Social and Welfare Associations



Social and welfare associations are prominent community or social groups associations formed by Africans to protest colonial exploitation, oppression and humiliation. However, many social and welfare association were forced in order to meet the immediate demand or need of members. These were group created by African who worked in different sectors of colonial system such as;



a. Skilled and unskilled workers

This was social gathering where the workers interacted and were the forums to express their grievances. This association comprised of elite who lived in poor areas and houses and have no good health and education services compared to Europeans.



b. African traders

These were petty traders in urban areas. They formed their associations to address their grievances. Africans traders were discriminated while Asians and Europeans traders were favored much by colonial government.


c. Peasants and cooperatives societies

These were mainly peasant’s cooperative unions. Example of such association was the Kilimanjaro Native Association of Tanganyika. Peasants in many parts of Africa during the colonial rule were forced to grow cash crops in their areas. Examples of Social and welfare Associations in Africa;


A. In East Africa

Tanganyika Territory Civil Service Association (TTCSA) formed in 1922 by Martin Kayamba. In 1929 it was transformed to Tanganyika African Association based on Dar es Salaam.

The Bataka Movement and Young Baganda Association formed in 1920 which aimed at opposing the Buganda agreement of 1900.

The East African Association formed in 1930 in Kenya.

The Young Kavirondo Tax Paying Association in Kenya formed by Henry Thuku in 1930, formed for opposing land alienation, forced labour, prohibition of Africa from growing cash crops.

B. In Central Africa

The Momera Native Association in Nyasaland

South Rhodesia Native Association in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)

Industrial and Commercial Union in South Rhodesia

C. In West Africa

The Arbergis Rights Protection Society (ARPS) formed in 1808 to oppose the British land Bill in Gold Coast (Ghana)

The People Union formed in 1908 in Lagos (Nigeria) by Herbert Macaulay to protest against the heavy of water rate.

Nigerian Youth Movement

Ashanti Cocoa Federation

D. In South Africa

South African Native Congress (SANC) formed in 1912 later in 1935 it was transformed into ANS.

Reasons for the rise Social and Welfare Association

• Difficult living and working condition

• Low wages

• Forced labour and taxation

• Land alienation

• Racial and social segregation

• Prohibition from growing cash crops

• They demanded fair prices for what their members were producing.

• Demand for the security of peasants land and better methods of growing commercial crops.

• They looked for agricultural implements for the farmers