Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study undertakes a scientific investigation into the social and environmental
problems encountered by the Oshiwana Penduka informal settlement as a result of the
lack of a proper sanitation system. This informal settlement is located on the periphery
of the municipal boundaries of the town of Mariental in Southern Namibia, about 270
kilometres south of the capital, Windhoek. The unique problem faced by the settlement
is the absence of sanitation facilities or sewage system as a method of solid waste
management. Needless to say, the informal settlement is characterized by
overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of housing, unemployment and poverty. From the
literature review, it became clear that inadequate water supply and sanitation posed
serious implications to the physical environment and human health. The literature also
reveals that these core challenges are propagated by the continual influx of people to
urban areas and the re-birth of irregular settlements.
In light of the above, the problem statements to be addressed are the following, namely:
what is the impact of the absence of a proper and sustainable sanitation system on the
inhabitants of the Oshiwana Penduka informal settlement and what can be done by the
Mariental Municipality to address the concerns raised?
The key research methods applied for this study entails individual semi-structured
questionnaires and key informant groups. The answers to the interviewed questions
are highlighted in chapter four and the interpretation of the research findings are
constituted in the latter chapter. The hypothesis was proven false and the new model of
thinking generated is suggesting that the prevailing social and environmental problems
are caused by the absence of toilet facilities. It is evident to note from the study results
that the negative social impact, which is being attributed by inadequate sanitation in the
informal settlement, is severe and lethal to human health. In order to prove the
hypothesis, data has been collected at household levels from the informal settlers. Despite the survey results which support the conventional water borne sanitation as the
most preferred sanitation system, vacuum system as an ecological sanitation
technology is recommended for this informal settlement. This particular sanitation
system works on the principle of enhancing water conservation, recycling, reduction of
health, and promotes environmental integrity. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie onderneem ʼn wetenskaplike ondersoek na die sosiale en
omgewingsprobleme, wat ondervind word deur die Oshiwana Penduka informele
nedersetting en die gebrek aan ʼn behoorlike sanitasie stelsel. Hierdie betrokke
informele nedersetting is geleë aan die buitewyke van die munisipale grense van die
dorp Mariental. Die dorp Mariental is geleë in die suidelike deel van Namibië, ongeveer
270 km suid van die hoofstad Windhoek. Die unieke problem wat hierdie nedersetting
ondervind is die afwesigheid van sanitasie fasiliteite of ʼn rioolstelsel wat ʼn soliede
metode van goeie rioolbeheer is. Hierdie nedersetting word gekenmerk deur
oorbevolking, swak sanitasie, gebrek aan behuising, werkloosheid en armoede. Vanuit
die literatuurstudie, het dit aan die lig gekom dat onvoldoende water toevoer en
sanitasie ernstige implikasies vir die fisiese omgewing en die menslike gesondheid
inhou. Die literatuur het ook aan die lig gebring dat hierdie basiese probleme vererger
word deur die aanhoudende invloei van mense na die stedelike gebiede.
In die lig van bogenoemde, is die probleemstelling wat aangespreek moet word, soos
volg: wat is die gevolge van ʼn gebrek aan ʼn behoorlike en volhoubare sanitasiestelsel
vir die inwoners van die informele nedersetting en wat kan die Mariental Munisipaliteit
doen om hierdie problem aan te spreek?
Die navorsingsmetode wat aangewend word bevat individuele semi- gestruktureerde
vraelyste en sleutel fokusgroepe. Die antwoorde op die onderhoudsvraelyste word
vervat in hoofstuk vier en die vertolking van die navorsingsbevinding word in die
daaropvolgende hoofstuk aangebied. Die hipoteses was verkeerd bewys en die
alternatief wat gegenereer is, stel voor dat die bestaande sosiale en
omgewingsprobleme veroorsaak word deur die afwesigheid van toilet fasiliteite. Ten spyte van die navorsingsresultate, wat ʼn watersanitasiestelsel as die meeste
verkose stelsel ondersteun, word ʼn suigstelsel as ekologiese volhoubare tegnologie vir
hierdie informele nedersetting aanbeveel. Hierdie betrokke sanitasiestelsel toon
verskeie voordele, onder andere bewaring van water, vermindering van
gesondheidsprobleme en die bevordering van omgewingsvolhoubaarheid.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/21437 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Herero, Jan Johannes |
| Contributors | Keyter, C., Theron, F., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Management and Planning. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | xii, 96 leaves : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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