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South Africa is currently facing a water crisis due to low rainfall, climate change, a large population and pollution in freshwater sources. Rivers and streams are polluted despite the legislation and management systems established by the government at the national, provincial, and local levels. The aim of this study was to determine the perceived barriers to the effective management of streams in uMlazi township in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The study was conducted at a Durban solid waste office in Cator Manor and a community hall in uMlazi township. A qualitative case study design was used. Data was collected through focus group discussions from the two groups who were involved in the management of water streams in uMlazi township, namely Sihlanzimvelo co-operatives and the section of the EThekwini Municipality involved in stream management. Data were recorded, transcribed, coded and thematically analyzed. Four main themes were identified, which revealed that the current barriers to effective stream management were related to attitudes and behavior of the communities and the EThekwini Municipality's working conditions and management practices. The study established that to manage the streams effectively, all stakeholders in communities should be actively involved, and for that to be possible, they should all be educated about the importance of streams and the environment in general. Environmental education was found to be central in promoting accountability and civility in engagements amongst stakeholders, to ensure that there were healthier streams and river systems and an eco-friendly future was secured.

Although the national policy landscape is saturated with environmental and surface water management policies, there is limited evidence of successful policy implementation at a local level. This lack of policy adherence can have many economic, environmental, and public health effects in an area hence measure to improve adherence and implementation are essential. This study, therefore, looked at the lack of stream policy adherence and implementation by the government at Umlazi Township, which is the second biggest township in South Africa, with a population reported to be about half a million people. The study integrated three approaches: the Health Belief Model (HBM), Adaptive River Management, and Social-Ecological Model (SEM) to evaluate the scientific knowledge regarding river status, and uncertainty levels and finally evaluate the impact of policy implementation and evaluation on surface water quality management in the Umlazi area. Data was collected from local municipality workers and Sihlanzimvelo Initiative workers, as these two groups are primarily responsible for stream water management in the Umlazi Local. The data were thematically analyzed and revealed three main factors that contribute to the lack of policy adherence and implementation: citizens are not knowledgeable about on-stream management policy standards; policies on stream management are not implemented and enforced; and lastly, implementation and enforcement of these policies are perceived as difficult. Citizen environmental education and stream worker capacity building appear to be key in improving policy adherence and implementation in Umlazi streams.