Barriers to the effective management of water streams in uMlazi township, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Abstract

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.

Keywords: {'name': 'Streams; river systems; stakeholders; management barriers'}

Authors & affiliations

Ntokozo Amanda Xaba
Affiliation not supplied

Stanley Onwubu
Affiliation not supplied

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

DOI: 10.1038/nclimate1666

DOI: 10.20935/AL1537

Awumbila, M. (2017). Drivers of migration and urbanization in Africa: Key trends and issues. Centre for Migration Studies: University of Ghana

DOI: 10.1002/aqc.2795

DOI: 10.1002/9781119241072.ch27

Cowan, M.K. (2012). Microbiology a Systematic Approach. 3Rd Edition. Miami: McGraw-Hill.

DOI: 10.2989/16085914.2002.9626569

DWS (Department of Water and Sanitation). (2017). Annual performance plan: 2017/18 to 2019/20 Vote 36. Department of Water and Sanitation: Pretoria

DWS (Department of Water and Sanitation). (2018b). Annual report 2018/19 Vote 36. Department of Water and Sanitation: Pretoria

EThekwini municipality. (2015). EThekwini Sihlanzimvelo project operations manual: Roads and Stormwater Maintenance. EThekwini Municipality: Durban, South Africa.

Freitas, H.; Moscarola, J., & Jenkins, M. (1998, April 9). Content and lexical analysis: a qualitative practical application. ISRC, Merrick School of Business, University of Baltimore (MD, EUA), WP ISRC No. 070498,https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228827898_Content_and_lexical_analysis_a_qualitative_practical_application/citations

DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2012.01.013

Glanz, K., Rimer, B.K., & Viswanath, K. (2008). Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Lewis, F. M. (2002). Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice. 3rd Edition. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

DOI: 10.1016/j.phrp.2012.10.001

Hill, M., & Carroll, S. (2009). Health promotion, health education, and the public’s health. In: Detels R, Beaglehole R , Lansang MA , Gulliford M (eds.). Oxford Textbook of Public Health. Vol 2.5th ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2009; 752–766

https://www.susana.org/_resources/documents/default/3-3719-7-1573727097.pdf

DOI: 10.3897/rio.5.e33400

DOI: 10.1002/wat2.1260

DOI: 10.29333/ejmste/91246

Minnaar, F. (2010). Strategic and Performance Management in the Public Sector. Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers.

DOI: 10.1111/aswp.12223

DOI: 10.1071/MF09318

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001709

DOI: 10.4314/wsa.v42i3.11

Sithebe, A., Singh, G., Amoah, I., & Stenstorm, T. (2016). A comparative microbiological assessment of the Isipingo River and Palmiet River in Kwa-Zulu Natal province to elucidate health risks. In: MÉNDEZ-VILAS, A. (ed.) Microbes in the Spotlight: Recent Progress in the Understanding of Beneficial and Harmful Microorganisms. Brown Walker Press.

Sithebe. A. (2017). A comparative microbiological assessment of river basin sites to elucidate fecal impact and the corresponding risks. Master of Applied Sciences in Biotechnology: Durban University of Technology.

South Africa.(1996). The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Bill of Rights Chapter 24. Pretoria: Government Printers.

SSA (South Africa Statistics), (2011). Statistical release (Revised) census 2011.P0301.4http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P03014/P030142011.pdf

DOI: 10.1037/a0023220

DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2015.09.009

DOI: 10.1037/a0023253

WHO (World Health Organisation). (2020). Mental health of people with neglected tropical diseases: Towards a person-centred approach. World Health Organization: Geneva

World Bank. (2019). Health, safety and dignity of sanitation workers: An initial assessment. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank: Washington. https://www.susana.org/_resources/documents/default/3-3719-7-1573727097.pdf

DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110973

WWAP (United Nations World Water Assessment Programme). (2017). The United Nations world water development report 2018: Wastewater: The untapped resource. Paris: UNESCO

DOI: 10.12816/0027224