PhDRDV / Institute for Rural Development / Approximately, 780 million of people in the world lack access to safe water for domestic use. Out
of these, 37 % are found in sub-Saharan Africa. Because of the negative impact of climate
variability and change, scarcity of water is likely to continue worsening. Although semi-arid areas
experience water shortages, they receive limited amounts of rainfall. Rainwater might help
alleviate temporal water shortages. However, rainwater is rarely harvested for use when most
needed. The PhD in Rural Development thesis research was carried out in Mabayeni village,
which falls under Ward 35 of Collins Chabane Local Municipality in Limpopo Province of South
Africa. It was designed to develop a grassroots community-informed prototype for a technology
that could be used to harvest rainwater for domestic use. A series of interrelated studies with the
following specific objectives underpinned the research: (1) To determine the extent of water
scarcity; (2) To identify strategies households used to cope with inadequate availability of water
for domestic use; (3) To document the rainwater harvesting techniques rural households used;
(4) To compare the features of rainwater harvesting technology that people of different age groups
preferred; (5) To develop community-preferred prototypes of rainwater harvesting technology with
the best potential to increase access to water for domestic use; and (6) To evaluate the
community-preferred prototypes of rainwater harvesting technology.
Partly, the study was conducted as a follow-up to a Master’s research study on climate change
carried out in 2014 in Mabayeni village. In the 2014 study, it was revealed that water scarcity was
a major result of climate change in the area. In addition, Mabayeni was perceived as the driest
compared to other villages in the ward. The Cresswell (2013) explanatory sequential mixed
method design guided the study. Multi-stage sampling was followed to select respondents. This
entailed categorizing respondents first dividing them by age and gender. Respondents were
placed in the following clusters: children (boys and girls), youth (male and female), adult (men
and women), and the elderly. This was done in order to ensure that there was triangulation of
data sources. Various participatory research techniques were used to collect qualitative data for
the same reason. For objective 1, data collection techniques such as photo voice, key informant
interviews, focus group discussions, participatory mapping, transect walks, storytelling and
seasonal diagramming were used. Data were analysed through card sorting, Atlas.ti version
7.5.7-mediated thematic content analysis, map ranking, matrix scoring and conversation analysis.
Data collection techniques employed for objective 2 were similar to those used in objective 1 with
the exception of participatory mapping. Thematic content analysis in Atlas.ti, map ranking and
matrix ranking were used to analyse data for this objective.
Only focus group discussions, key informant interviews and transect walks were used to collect
data for objective 3. Data analysis techniques used were similar to those used in the previous
objective with the exception of map ranking. For objective 4, data were collected through focus
group discussions and analysed using matrix ranking and Atlas.ti-aided thematic content analysis.
In objective 5, development of artefacts was guided by prototyping and sketch modelling
techniques. Techniques such as verbal protocol analysis, mathematical calculations and
presentation and analysis were used to analyse data. A questionnaire with open and closed
ended questions was also used to collect data for the last objective. Open-ended questions were
analysed using thematic content analysis. In addition, the Kruskal Wallis test in SPSS version 25
determined first, the two prototypes (one for zinc and another for thatch roof) that were regarded
as the best; and second, if prototype component ratings significantly differed (p <0.05) across
prototypes. As a post hoc test, the Dunn’s test in R Statistical Software version 3.3.0 was used
for pairwise comparisons. Data saturation determined the sample size. A total of 17 community
engagement sessions were held to collect, analyse and validate findings with the grassroots
community members in Mabayeni village.
Water scarcity in Mabayeni village was reconfirmed to be seasonal. The dry season in each year
was five months long. During this time, residents adopted random, risky and unhygienic coping
strategies. Although rainwater was collected from rooftops, there was no formal technology used
to gather and store large quantities for later use. This was attributed to lack of resources and
knowledge on how to develop such technologies. The most commonly preferred features of
rainwater harvesting technology across interest groups related to water quality, construction
materials and security. All interest groups preferred a technology that harvested clean/potable
water. Moreover, the elderly wanted a technology that would help them access the stored water
easily.
In total, 14 prototypes were developed. When all the interest groups evaluated the prototypes,
the ones that boys and men developed were selected as the best for zinc and thatched roofbased
technologies, respectively. Selection of a prototype that children produced as the best
underlined that children were an important resource that communities should never marginalise.
Nor should their ability to contribute useful ideas be underestimated when seeking solutions to
local challenges. Active involvement of grassroots community members in the entire design
process helped tailor specifications of the technology to user needs, thereby highlighting the
importance of inclusive decision making in development practice. This was also important
because it created ownership and increased chances of adopting the technology. Lastly, the
current study reaffirmed the view that postgraduate degree research can be harnessed to
coproduce solutions to community-identified challenges. / NRF
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:univen/oai:univendspace.univen.ac.za:11602/1295 |
| Date | 16 May 2020 |
| Creators | Nyamukondiwa, Pertina |
| Contributors | Francis, J., Manjoro, M., Kapila, P. F. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (xxii, 297 leaves : color illustration, color maps) |
| Rights | University of Venda |
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