Water is an essential element for life and crucial to survival. South Africa is a semi-arid country and therefore water should be protected and managed effectively by all residents of the country. In the 1830s the Mooi River was the key reason for the Voortrekkers to establish Potchefstroom at a locality adjacent to this river. The Voortrekkers noticed the dolomitic outcroppings in the vicinity, but still opted to reside next to the river for it provided easily accessible water and fertile soil. Since the 1830s water legislation regulating the management and use of the water in the Mooi River has been amended innumerable times to bring us to the current situation of Potchefstroom’s water (mis)management by the role-players and stakeholders of the water source. As a resident of Potchefstroom, the researcher has a keen interest in the origin of the city’s water sources, the re-routing of the water from the origin to the water purification unit via the open-on-top cement canal system, and the overall management of these canals and their servitudes. In order to conduct a research study on the Mooi River’s water re-routing canals and servitudes, the following research methods were applied: The researcher performed a comprehensive literature review, conducted fieldwork, held interviews with landowners and experts in the geographical area of the Mooi River Valley, and performed statistical analyses as well as content analyses of the findings. Some of the most alarming findings include the lack of co-operative governance between water users and – authorities, and the current public management and disaster risk management challenges in the re-routing of water from Klerkskraal Dam down to the water purification plant of Potchefstroom. It is recommended that the major stakeholders of the Mooi River Valley, e.g. the disaster management centre in Potchefstroom, the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) regional offices in Potchefstroom, as well as the Tlokwe Local Municipality need to join forces for a combined effort to accomplish the overarching research objective of achieving improved cooperative municipal governance and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to eventually ensure the safe and effective re-routing of water from the Klerkskraal Dam to the Potchefstroom water purification plant. Note: Since July 2014 the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) has changed to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). / MA (Public Management and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Water is an essential element for life and crucial to survival. South Africa is a semi-arid country and therefore water should be protected and managed effectively by all residents of the country. In the 1830s the Mooi River was the key reason for the Voortrekkers to establish Potchefstroom at a locality adjacent to this river. The Voortrekkers noticed the dolomitic outcroppings in the vicinity, but still opted to reside next to the river for it provided easily accessible water and fertile soil. Since the 1830s water legislation regulating the management and use of the water in the Mooi River has been amended innumerable times to bring us to the current situation of Potchefstroom’s water (mis)management by the role-players and stakeholders of the water source. As a resident of Potchefstroom, the researcher has a keen interest in the origin of the city’s water sources, the re-routing of the water from the origin to the water purification unit via the open-on-top cement canal system, and the overall management of these canals and their servitudes. In order to conduct a research study on the Mooi River’s water re-routing canals and servitudes, the following research methods were applied: The researcher performed a comprehensive literature review, conducted fieldwork, held interviews with landowners and experts in the geographical area of the Mooi River Valley, and performed statistical analyses as well as content analyses of the findings. Some of the most alarming findings include the lack of co-operative governance between water users and – authorities, and the current public management and disaster risk management challenges in the re-routing of water from Klerkskraal Dam down to the water purification plant of Potchefstroom. It is recommended that the major stakeholders of the Mooi River Valley, e.g. the disaster management centre in Potchefstroom, the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) regional offices in Potchefstroom, as well as the Tlokwe Local Municipality need to join forces for a combined effort to accomplish the overarching research objective of achieving improved cooperative municipal governance and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to eventually ensure the safe and effective re-routing of water from the Klerkskraal Dam to the Potchefstroom water purification plant. Note: Since July 2014 the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) has changed to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). / MA (Public Management and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The birth of a non-racial democracy in South Africa brought many challenges such as the supply of potable water to all societies irrespective of their colour or even location. Migration of people from rural to urban has increased the demand of potable water supply in many areas that were previously neglected by the former Apartheid regime. The increase of the human population in urban or developing areas of South Africa will therefore imply that various public services such as potable water supply, proper housing, electricity supply, schooling and basic health facilities should be provided in an efficient, effective and economic manner. As the resident of Khuma Township, the researcher has a keen interest in the management of potable water supply in this area, inter alia, the nature and extent of the physical environment and the efficiency and effectiveness of a potable water supply as a means of improving service delivery by the Matlosana Local Municipality to Khuma Township. The area has the history of gold mining and the majority of the people from other rural areas and neighbouring states moved into this area and were later joined by their families. This resulted in an increase in the population to a point where people were placed in dangerous areas such as underlying dolomite and along the Koekemoer spruit. For example, extension 6 is known to experience sinkholes due to underground mining activities and the underline dolomite rock. The population has increased in Khuma Township to such an extent that a shortage of potable water supply is been experienced. Khuma Township had one water reservoir for the past 40 years and Matlosana Local Municipality did not improve or developed infrastructure related to potable water supply to be able to cater for the increasing population of this area. An empirical study was conducted in among the residents of Khuma Township, Matlosana Local Municipality and role-players in the management of potable water supply. From this study, it was evident that the supply of potable water in Khuma Township is insufficient, and there was poor communication, cooperation and participation between Matlosana Local Municipality and the residents of Khuma Township. The ineffective management of potable water supply in Khuma Township by the Matlosana Local Municipality as well as ignoring the significance of settling people in a safe area that is free from water pollution, sinkholes and underlying dolomite rock left a lot to be desired. The researcher arrived at logical conclusions and recommendations with regard to all aspects related to future management of potable water supply in Khuma Township. / M Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The birth of a non-racial democracy in South Africa brought many challenges such as the supply of potable water to all societies irrespective of their colour or even location. Migration of people from rural to urban has increased the demand of potable water supply in many areas that were previously neglected by the former Apartheid regime. The increase of the human population in urban or developing areas of South Africa will therefore imply that various public services such as potable water supply, proper housing, electricity supply, schooling and basic health facilities should be provided in an efficient, effective and economic manner. As the resident of Khuma Township, the researcher has a keen interest in the management of potable water supply in this area, inter alia, the nature and extent of the physical environment and the efficiency and effectiveness of a potable water supply as a means of improving service delivery by the Matlosana Local Municipality to Khuma Township. The area has the history of gold mining and the majority of the people from other rural areas and neighbouring states moved into this area and were later joined by their families. This resulted in an increase in the population to a point where people were placed in dangerous areas such as underlying dolomite and along the Koekemoer spruit. For example, extension 6 is known to experience sinkholes due to underground mining activities and the underline dolomite rock. The population has increased in Khuma Township to such an extent that a shortage of potable water supply is been experienced. Khuma Township had one water reservoir for the past 40 years and Matlosana Local Municipality did not improve or developed infrastructure related to potable water supply to be able to cater for the increasing population of this area. An empirical study was conducted in among the residents of Khuma Township, Matlosana Local Municipality and role-players in the management of potable water supply. From this study, it was evident that the supply of potable water in Khuma Township is insufficient, and there was poor communication, cooperation and participation between Matlosana Local Municipality and the residents of Khuma Township. The ineffective management of potable water supply in Khuma Township by the Matlosana Local Municipality as well as ignoring the significance of settling people in a safe area that is free from water pollution, sinkholes and underlying dolomite rock left a lot to be desired. The researcher arrived at logical conclusions and recommendations with regard to all aspects related to future management of potable water supply in Khuma Township. / M Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014