Magolanga Shagembe is a lecturer, researcher, and social psychology consultant based in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. His teaching, research, and consulting areas are on social thought and behavior, work/organizational behavior and well-being, child and adolescents’ learning and development, as well as mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services. As a certified national master trainer in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services, Shagembe has played a pivotal role in enhancing mental health and psychosocial well-being literacy across various sectors. His expertise is evident in his teaching, research, and consultancy, where he develops and implements programs aimed at promoting and improving mental health and psychosocial support systems for individuals, families, and communities. His dedication to advancing knowledge related to mental health and psychosocial well-being continues to influence future generations of psychologists and contribute to the overall well-being of those he serves. Moreover, Shagembe is also among the certified African Volunteers Health Corps (AVoHC) SURGE members under the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Please briefly describe the central argument of your doctoral dissertation. What is its main contribution to knowledge in your field?
Magolanga Shagembe: My doctoral thesis, “The Lived Experiences and Psychosocial Well-Being of Child Domestic Workers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,” was based on a phenomenological design informed by Schutz’s phenomenological sociology theory, Erikson’s psychosocial theory of development, and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. My thesis reveals that child domestic work is a “social construction” that involves the psychological and socio-cultural aspects of the lives of child domestic workers. The findings emphasize the significance of “social-ecological systems,” including social interactions, employers’ demand for domestic workers, and socio-economic difficulties in parents’ families, in influencing children’s choice to work as domestic workers. Using children aged 15 to 18 years for domestic work seems to be culturally acceptable among parents and employers, often considered to be part of “work socialization” and “fictive kin,” a preparation for a “productive, independent, and responsible adulthood,” and as a “necessity” in their families. Psychosocial well-being among child domestic workers includes “flourishing” and “languishing” across six dimensions: self-acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, positive relationships, environmental mastery, and autonomy.
I am of the view that while child domestic workers, mainly from rural areas, consider domestic work as a way to acquire new life skills, earn money, and gain exposure, most of them choose domestic work because they lack better life alternatives, face financial struggles, and experience socio-economic difficulties within their families. This becomes especially clear when they fail to progress in their formal education. Despite limited formal education and fewer opportunities for further education, including alternative options like vocational training, domestic work remains a viable choice for these children. The study suggests aligning domestic work with ILO’s Convention 189 and Recommendation 201 to ensure decent conditions for children who are legally eligible for work as per the international standards (above 14 years old) working age There is a need to support children’s education and offer alternative learning opportunities to help them gain essential life skills within the formal education system, while paying attention to the socio-cultural dynamics. There is also a need to engage in research-driven academic and policy debates, and implement proactive measures to address the issue of children under 15 engaging in domestic work. I further argue against the idea of treating childhood as a universal experience, emphasizing that not everyone shares the same childhood, even within the same locality or society.
How did the Next Gen fellowship program impact your doctoral journey?
The Next Gen fellowship program impacted my doctoral journey in many ways. Firstly, the funding helped me to cover expenses related to my studies, including fieldwork and post-fieldwork expenses, thus making me mentally and psychosocially fit to concentrate on my doctoral research. Secondly, the fellowship enabled me to engage in capacity-building and networking activities with other APN and Next Gen fellows, distinguished scholars, professionals, and policymakers. Thirdly, this fellowship helped me refine my research focus, techniques, and field-based research skills. Participating in the Research Methods Workshop held in Gaborone, Botswana, from July 24th – 27th of 2023, allowed me to become familiar with the latest developments in relevant academic discussions and literature. This has enabled me to establish valuable professional relationships with mentors and peers in the program. Finally, the fellowship provided me with the opportunity to engage and collaborate with a distinguished community of African academics and professionals through small group settings and individualized sessions.
Now that you have completed your PhD, what are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to continue contributing to the theory and practice of social psychology through teaching, research, and consulting. I am also looking forward to a postdoctoral research fellowship, as well as other postdoctoral research and consultancy opportunities as part of my career development and contribution to academia and the public good. In addition, as an academician with intrinsic motivation for the teaching profession, I am looking forward to becoming an exemplary master’s and doctoral student supervisor or advisor.
What advice do you have for upcoming doctoral students?
My advice for upcoming doctoral students is that they should believe in themselves, collaborate effectively, and prioritize their mental health and psychosocial well-being as they strive to realize their PhD and life dreams. It is always possible to reach the destination, no matter the challenges along the journey!
A list of Magolanga Shagembe’s Published Works
Magolanga Shagembe and Thomas Ndaluka. (2023). Exploration of the Child Domestic Workers’ Lived Experiences in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Sociology, 9 (1): 51-80. Accessible at https://doi.org/10.56279/tajoso.v9i1.120
Magolanga Shagembe and Thomas Ndaluka. (2022). Are Child Domestic Workers Key Ingredients in Employers’ Households? Employers’ Perceptions towards Child Domestic Workers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Tanzanian Journal of Population Studies and Development, 29 (2): 107-123. Accessible at https://doi.org/10.56279/tjpsd.v29i2
Magolanga Shagembe, Jonas Kinanda, Mathew Senga, and Thomas Ndaluka. (2022). The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health among Individuals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Sociology, 8 (1): 132-153. Accessible at https://tajoso.udsm.ac.tz/index.php/tjs/issue/view/8
Magolanga Shagembe and Nkanileka Loti Mgonda. (2022). The Relationship between Parents’ Socio-Economic Status and Pre-schoolers’ Cognitive Development in Tanzania. Journal of Humanities & Amp; Social Science (JHSS), 10 (6). accessible at https://jehs.duce.ac.tz/index.php/jehs/article/view/116
Thomas Ndaluka, Magolanga Shagembe, Jonas Kinanda, and Vendelin Simon. (2021). Faith in the times of COVID-19: Integrating religion in the fight against COVID-19 in Tanzania. Folklore (Estonia), 82: 117-134, accessible at http://www.folklore.ee/folklore/vol82/tanzania.pdf
