>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Access to water and water scarcity are the most critical impediments to sustainable development in municipal water provision. Good water and sanitation services are essential for health, economic development, and environmental protection. Recognizing the importance of access to a safe and adequate water supply, has become the core business of many cities. Among the major challenges facing local government regarding basic service provision in South Africa are acute problems of institutional capacity, maintenance of existing infrastructure, mismanagement of funds, high levels of corruption and a lack of public anticipation. There has been public outcry in South Africa about poor performance of municipalities in service delivery. Moreover, a good proportion of service delivery protests relate to municipalities‟ failure to carry out basic maintenance of existing infrastructure. The aim of this study was to assess water service delivery performance in the Municipalities of the City of Tshwane (CoT), City of Cape Town (CoCT) and EThekwini Metropolitan by comparing water service delivery for the three Water Service Authorities (WSAs). In this study the performance of Water Service Authorities is measured using the Regulatory Performance Measurement System (RPMS) using 11 regulatory Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). To find answers to research questions and objectives, the research was conducted through desktop research incorporating both quantitative and qualitative dimensions. Exploring the datasets and frequency tabulations were employed. For the analysis of the relative performance levels toward gaining access to water and sanitation services, the RPMS tool was used. The particular indicators of interest were the changes in performance levels in the provision of basic services for different segments based on RPMS. In line with our findings for Financial Performance Indicator (KPI 9) water supply in the WSAs is undertaken by local government that have the dual objectives of providing a social service while generating revenue to offset cost. Ironically, most of these WSAs do not recover their operating expenses from their own revenues, and remain dependent on state government for subsidies. The study concludes that the CoT is the best performer on the Financial Performance (KPI 9).The KPI requiring attention is Financial Performance (KPI 9) for the CoCT and EThekwini WSAs with indicators showing need for improvement. Compliance is encouraged for all WSAs on the Financial Performance Indicator (KPI 9) to ensure that their water business is sustainable. The study recommends that the relevant stakeholders and project proponents consider financial viability (sustainability) through the increase in value for money expenditure to grow and diversify revenue.

Thesis (Ph.D. Commerce (Accounting)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Despite South Africa's progress towards increasing investments in water management (IWM), water services delivery challenges (WSDCs) are prevalent. However, this further proves that focusing on only increasing (IWM) without addressing sustainability practices is not the only lasting solution. Therefore, the study examined the relationship between Sustainable Water Infrastructure (SWI) factors and IWM in South African metropolitan municipalities (SAMMs) to explore an alternative way of dealing with WSDCs. The study considered 278 municipalities in South Africa as the population. Furthermore, the study purposively selected eight (8) SAMMs, and employed quantitative content analysis to collect secondary data (2009 to 2019) from the various internet-based data sources. The data analysis procedure involved multivariate regression analysis through which Ordinary Least Squares and Feasible Generalised Least Squares produced results for the study. The study results suggest that only environmental management practices have had a positive but insignificant effect on IWM, whereas social, governance and economic factors have adversely and insignificantly influenced IWM. Overall, the relationship between SWI factors and IWM in SAMMs has turned out to be neutral. The results further expose the metropolitan councils' lack of proactive strategies to deal with the SWI factors that impede progressive efforts towards addressing an underinvestment gap and the worsening WSDCs. Since the study pioneered in the water management narrative, it has initiated new approaches to addressing WSDCs in the South African context. The study results present important implications for water service authorities and policymakers in South Africa as the narrative concerning the development of sustainable cities continues to gain momentum in urban development discourses. The study further recommends that SAMMs adhere to guidelines proposed in the framework to ensure that created investment opportunities due to good SEGE practices can enhance IWM. Lastly, further studies in this field of study are fundamental in exploring various approaches to addressing WSDCs. / Mpumalanga Department of Education (MDE)

This study is non-empirical and its design is based on three forms of analysis: conceptualisation, theoretical justification and strategic considerations for a participatory model in the water services sector in South Africa. In terms of the conceptualisation, the study addresses the old and new paradigms of sustainable development. First, it argues that for many years the concept of sustainable development has long dominated the development discourse. Second, the theoretical justification traces the evolution and meanings of sustainable development and also patterns and trends of the legacies of colonialism and apartheid. The descriptive analysis of apartheid and colonialism suggests a new development path for inclusive people-centred development. The study therefore postulates that in the South African context, sustainable development is both a political and a historical construct. This is the basis within which sustainable development should be understood. Third, the study concludes that context plays an important part in understanding and challenging the immoral and unjust practices of colonialism and apartheid which have militated against sustainable human development. The study further provides a description of the local government and water sectors and their underpinned legislative and policy framework, and notes impressive results in the delivery of basic water supply since 1994. However, the study argues that in order for municipalities to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities as water services authorities, they need to adopt a participatory model towards sustainable development since this is currently lacking. In doing so, the water services sector needs to overcome dangers of parochialism which were more evident from the supply-driven policy of the government. The study therefore draws lessons from three Latin American countries: Chile, Bolivia and Nicaragua, and proposes a new developmental path which conforms to the principles of sustainability. This development path is represented in the form of a dynamic, diagrammatic model for participatory sustainable development. This model displays successive stages and cycles of transaction between stakeholders. The model represents a decision support system which provides a conceptual framework for the diagnosis, consolidation and analysis of information. The model is thus a useful tool which can be applied in the public sector during project or programme implementation. / Development Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Development Studies)

This study is non-empirical and its design is based on three forms of analysis: conceptualisation, theoretical justification and strategic considerations for a participatory model in the water services sector in South Africa. In terms of the conceptualisation, the study addresses the old and new paradigms of sustainable development. First, it argues that for many years the concept of sustainable development has long dominated the development discourse. Second, the theoretical justification traces the evolution and meanings of sustainable development and also patterns and trends of the legacies of colonialism and apartheid. The descriptive analysis of apartheid and colonialism suggests a new development path for inclusive people-centred development. The study therefore postulates that in the South African context, sustainable development is both a political and a historical construct. This is the basis within which sustainable development should be understood. Third, the study concludes that context plays an important part in understanding and challenging the immoral and unjust practices of colonialism and apartheid which have militated against sustainable human development. The study further provides a description of the local government and water sectors and their underpinned legislative and policy framework, and notes impressive results in the delivery of basic water supply since 1994. However, the study argues that in order for municipalities to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities as water services authorities, they need to adopt a participatory model towards sustainable development since this is currently lacking. In doing so, the water services sector needs to overcome dangers of parochialism which were more evident from the supply-driven policy of the government. The study therefore draws lessons from three Latin American countries: Chile, Bolivia and Nicaragua, and proposes a new developmental path which conforms to the principles of sustainability. This development path is represented in the form of a dynamic, diagrammatic model for participatory sustainable development. This model displays successive stages and cycles of transaction between stakeholders. The model represents a decision support system which provides a conceptual framework for the diagnosis, consolidation and analysis of information. The model is thus a useful tool which can be applied in the public sector during project or programme implementation. / Development Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Development Studies)