A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2016. / After several years of political and economic successes made since 1994, South Africa continues to experience major challenges in water availability, increased poverty, high levels of unemployment and more recently, steep increases in food and fuel prices. The Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is one of the regions that have been negatively affected by changes in climate variability, thereby, increasing the vulnerability and subjecting a significant number of households to increased poverty; water scarcity and food insecurity. The situation continues and there is a need to address this. This study sought to understand how the local households in the Eastern Cape Province in Nqgeleni location adapt to the extreme drought which impacts on their livelihood by exploring the different adaptive measures or systems that are implemented to cope with the climatic conditions in uplifting and providing food and nutrition security for sustainable growth and development. The primary aim of this research was thus to investigate how water scarcity influences food and nutritional security on rural household in Nqgeleni location. To achieve this aim, three secondary objectives were formulated. Firstly, to establish the relationship between water scarcity on food and nutritional security of rural households in Nqgeleni location. Secondly, to identify the drivers of water scarcity in the area. Lastly, to create an inventory of coping mechanism employed by rural households with water scarcity, food and nutritional security. An extensive literature review was undertaken to integrate prior findings and theories on water scarcity, food and nutritional security. The literature study revealed that water scarcity has a significant impact on food security. In addition, several factors such as demographic profile variables (population growth) and structural inefficiencies (infrastructure and management) were identified as potential drivers of water scarcity. In order to address the objectives set for this study, a number of items were sourced from the literature and a structured questionnaire administered to respondents who were selected by means of a simple random sampling technique. Data was collected from 111 usable questionnaires. The mixed method approach was employed as a core research methodology. The responses obtained were subjected to statistical analyses. Cronbach-alpha coefficients were calculated to confirm the internal consistency of the measuring instrument. The findings from this study are thus as follows. There was a significant relationship between water scarcity, food and nutritional security. Food security also has an impact on nutritional security. In addition, the drivers of water scarcity found in this study includes population growth, lack of infrastructure and poor management of water related issues by the municipality; all of which confirm findings in other studies. Furthermore, a number of respondents profile variables were identified as contributing factors to poverty, vulnerability, water scarcity, food and nutritional security in the Nqgeleni location. This includes lack of education, size of the household, and income level of the household. Based on the above findings, an inventory of coping mechanism was recommended to assist the rural households deal with water scarcity, food and nutritional security. This study has added to the empirical body of water scarcity, food and nutritional security in South Africa and the world at large. KEYWORDS: Water scarcity; Food security; Nutritional security; Eastern Cape; Nqgeleni location; South Africa / LG2017

A thesis submitted to the faculty of science, at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 2017. / Water resource monitoring plays a pivotal role in a number of sectors such as determining sustainable abstraction and use of water, determining the feasibility of development projects in relation to water, and developing systematic strategies for efficient overall management of the water resources. It has been observed by a number of scholars and policy makers that through periodic monitoring of water resources, valuable data can be collected which can then provide information sufficient to determine trends and develop predictive models. It is only when sound and reliable data is available that informed decisions about sustainable and efficient use of water resources can be made. Despite the importance of water resource monitoring, many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in South Africa, are not effectively and adequately monitoring the quantity and quality of water resources. Part of the reason for this state of affairs has been the absence of clearly defined roles, policies, strategies and responsibilities and a combination of these factors have resulted in significant fragmentations in the institutional structures mandated to manage water resources. Using expert sampling, interviews with key informants and other purposively chosen participants, revealed the challenges in the changing political landscape of South African water resource monitoring many of which were further reiterated in the focus group discussions. The identified challenges served as entry points that would improve water resources monitoring and enable decision makers to make sustainable management decisions. It is suggested that water resource monitoring programmes could be used as a tool for sustainable water resource monitoring in South Africa. However, climate change and urbanization bring about a certain level of complexity, uncertainty and conflict as the water landscape of water resources changes continuously. The impact of the above phenomena cannot be measured as current monitoring systems are not functioning optimally. Furthermore, monitoring programmes are not being used to their full potential due to governance challenges. This is due to conflicting roles that the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) plays in the water sector i.e. policy developer, supporter and regulator, which in turn confound the roles and responsibilities of its employees. Moreover, it was found that five major challenges impede the formation of a comprehensive water resources management system namely; lack of financial resources, lack of skilled human resources, poor governance structure, ineffective stakeholder engagement – ‘working in silos’ and inefficient data management. More importantly, it was found that sustainability of monitoring programmes relies on human and economic investment. The main recommendations made include institutional reform and enabling legislation which form the basis upon which any development efforts can be pursued to achieve sustainable water resource monitoring. In addition, capacity building and strengthening is recommended as another way to help build sustainable resource management institutions which include skills and institutional memory transfer from the experienced players to the younger and newer employees. The creation and/or optimization of water resource monitoring databases is one of the viable ways for sustainable water resource management to be realized. Furthermore, research can be conducted to assess the challenges in water resource monitoring and provide sustainable solutions; with the aim of quantifying the impact of policy reforms in the water sector. And finally, research can be done on how effective regulation and co-operative governance for water sector can be achieved in South Africa through participatory processes that are aimed at developing priority water research questions. Keywords: water resource monitoring, institutional framework, integrated water resource management, water governance. / GR2018

Thesis (M.A. (Agricultural Economics))--University of Limpopo (Turfloop Campus), 2011. / The main aim of the study was to analyse the impact of improved water access for both domestic and productive uses on human development. The study was conducted in three villages in the Letsoalo-Sekororo community within the Mopani District Municipality in the Maruleng Local Municipality around the banks of the Olifants River in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study used a total sample of 59 participants representing 40 households, 16 key informants. Three focus group discussions were held. Various variables for the households were selected and analysed using logistic regression. The method of agreement was used for key informants as well as for focus group discussions. The results from the logistic regression indicated that household size and quantity of water consumed by an individual per household was found to be showing a positive relationship to improved water access. Cattle ownership and household’s monthly income were found to be showing a negative relationship to improved water access. The results also indicated that other people’s private yard taps are the water source which showed a negative relationship to improved water access. The variable food availability throughout the year, showed a positive relationship to improved water access. Water related disease showed a negative relationship to improved water access. The results of method of agreement indicated that there are many challenges faced by the key informants. These challenges were because of the poor water reticulations and the fact that other households were unable to make their connections due to lack of a money. vii The study recommends that the Department of Water Affairs and the Maruleng Local Municipality should continue their efforts of getting enough and safe water fir the Letsoalo- Sekororo communities. Once that is done these communities will be able to get involved in income generating activities. / French Embassy through the Centre for Rural Community Empowerment

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2010 / The aim of the research study was to examine and analyse the main constraints faced by the Polokwane Local Municipality in delivery water services to Mabokelele Village. For the researcher to be able to achieve the aim of the study, key research questions were posed which enabled the researcher to gather / collect data that helped shed more light in the research project. Research questions such as what are the constraints faced by the Polokwane Local Municipality in water delivery services, and what strategies are been to address those constraints and how effective are those strategies, were posed to the participants of this research study. The study used the qualitative research design. Respondents were seen as experts of their own life situation. Face to face interviews were used to collect data from the participants. Data analyses was done in the form of content data analysis. The key findings of the research project:- Shortage of skills in financial management, inadequate water service infrastructure, inadequate human resource for water service delivery, lack of co-operation between the Polokwane Municipality and the Mabokelele Induna and lack of community participation and consultation by the Polokwane Local Municipality and long delays caused by the tendering process were identified as the key findings for the study. Recommendations for the study was guided by the findings of the research project. The following served as recommendations for the study : Polokwane Local Municipality should ensure that people with financial management skills and project management are employed to avoid under-spending of the budget. Community participation and consultation should be key when implementing projects to the community, Department of Water Affairs to ensure that enough water service infrastructure is provided so that the Municipality can function properly. Dwarf should speed up the transfer of officials to Polokwane Local Municipality and lastly, the red tapes in the tendering processes should be minimized to avoid long delays in the approval of water projects.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / The aim of the envisaged study is to investigate the water supply services in Lenyenye Township, in Greater Tzaneen Municipality and to derive suggestions and recommendations for improvement based on the objectives decomposed into the following: To review the extent and the magnitude of Water Supply problems and to identify, analyze the underlying causes of the water supply problems because the basic infrastructure provision of water supply is very poor and dismal across the area. Water serves as a basic need to which everybody has the right to access, be it for consumption or irrigation this service is, unfortunately, disrupted by many factors. The findings in the study for poor water supply emanate from many common causal factors such as management skills, technical challenges and illegal connections. Only two methods were employed to collect data in the study. Data collection was done by using the questionnaire and the interview methods and the interview involved direct personal contact with the participants who answered questions. A survey questionnaire was used to obtain data pertaining to water supply services from the representatives of water supply institutions. Recommendations in the study are based on the findings such as prioritization of effective water supply for Lenyenye township, community consultation and participation, addressing capacity constrains in the Municipality such as human resources, water service infrastructure, and skills development.

No description available.

<p>Scania, the southernmost region in Sweden, is facing a changing climate, and even if we limitcarbon emissions the climate will continue to change. Increasing amounts of precipitation, butalso an increased frequency of heavy rainfall, drought and increased temperature are examplesof some consequences, but it is uncertain how these will affect water supplies. To understandthe whole picture of the climate adaption, we have to reach out with information, knowledge,advice and together during training courses, seminars and workshops incorporate climateadaptation efforts. The basis of this project is a telephone interview with Scania´s 33municipalities over with the contingency contained in a changing climate. Work on coastalerosion and flooding risks to coastal communities is fairly well inventoried, but equalattention has not been given to threats and risks that exist to our water, especially drinkingwater. Many times an alternative water supply does not exist if current supplies are impacted.Municipalities must plan for our water resources in the long term, because safe and securedrinking water supplies are needed today and in the future. An important part of climateadaptation efforts is the establishment of water supply plans, in order to ensure the long-termsupply of drinking water. The plan should include two main parts; the first part is an inventoryof water resources and water conservation for current and future drinking water supply andthe second part is action-oriented and based on the first part with an inventory of the potentialimpacts and threats to these resources.</p>

Scania, the southernmost region in Sweden, is facing a changing climate, and even if we limitcarbon emissions the climate will continue to change. Increasing amounts of precipitation, butalso an increased frequency of heavy rainfall, drought and increased temperature are examplesof some consequences, but it is uncertain how these will affect water supplies. To understandthe whole picture of the climate adaption, we have to reach out with information, knowledge,advice and together during training courses, seminars and workshops incorporate climateadaptation efforts. The basis of this project is a telephone interview with Scania´s 33municipalities over with the contingency contained in a changing climate. Work on coastalerosion and flooding risks to coastal communities is fairly well inventoried, but equalattention has not been given to threats and risks that exist to our water, especially drinkingwater. Many times an alternative water supply does not exist if current supplies are impacted.Municipalities must plan for our water resources in the long term, because safe and securedrinking water supplies are needed today and in the future. An important part of climateadaptation efforts is the establishment of water supply plans, in order to ensure the long-termsupply of drinking water. The plan should include two main parts; the first part is an inventoryof water resources and water conservation for current and future drinking water supply andthe second part is action-oriented and based on the first part with an inventory of the potentialimpacts and threats to these resources.

Thesis (Ph. D. in Economics)--Vanderbilt University, Aug. 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 120-128).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Carolina, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves : [94]-100).