Living without water: the experiences of Mokgolobotho villagers in Greater Tzaneen Municipality in Limpopo Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the challenges that hinder the Greater Tzaneen Municipality from rendering water service delivery to Mokgolobotho villagers and the villagers’ perceptions of their livelihoods without adequate municipal water supply. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research. Two groups of respondents participated in the study. The data was gathered from 100 respondents from Mokgolobotho village, and of the 100 respondents, 90 were residents from 30 households, 1 chief, 3 indunas, 1 ward councillor,3 ward committee members and 2 NGOs. The respondents from the community (households) were randomly sampled and a questionnaire was administered to them ,while those who participated in the interview were purposefully sampled. The scarcity of water at Mokgolobotho village has a negative impact on a number of aspects; the economic development of the village, the academic performance of learners, health of the community members is also at risk as they share water with animals (Mopani Herald, 2014:3) and it also increases the death rate caused by car accidents as villagers cross the R36 Lydenburg main road to get water at the Dan Extension 2 (Reconstruction and Development Programme Settlement). The Department of Water Affairs is very aware of the anomalies in water distribution, where people reside adjacent to water sources and yet have no access to a source of safe and reliable drinking water. Section 27 of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution states that everyone has the right to have access to sufficient water, and the state must take reasonable legislative and other measures to achieve the progressive realization of this right. The Greater Tzaneen Municipality has failed to implement this section of the Bill of Rights at Mokgolobotho Village. The study recommends that the fulfilment of the constitutional mandate by the Greater Tzaneen Municipality and the active involvement of all the stakeholders will solve the water service delivery problem in Mokgolobotho Village.