Gender Perspectives of Measures to improve Water and Sanitation Delivery In South African Local Municipalities

Abstract

This study investigated measures to improve water and sanitation delivery in South African local municipalities. The qualitative research approach and exploratory research design were selected for this study. Thirty (30) participants were selected to participate in this study through online and telephonic interviews due to COVID-19 pandemic. Atlas-ti software (version 8.2) was used to analyse data collected from the participants. Themes and categories emerged from the study and were discussed adequately by corroborating it with the literature review outcomes to find solutions to the study. Major findings disclosed that some local municipalities in the North West province do not provide adequate water and sanitation delivery to the residents due to issues related to budget implementation plans, limited supply of water resources, lack of personnel training, the poor state of infrastructure, poor implementation of legislative frameworks, financial management issues, inability to update service development plans, lack of skills, and strategic leadership issues. The study recommended that municipal employees should collaborate with residents, conduct awareness campaigns, promote emerging innovation options and communication dynamics, install leak monitoring and detection sensory machines, ensure effective infrastructural maintenance culture, apply service legislation and promote effective strategic/financial management in an endeavour to enhance water and sanitation delivery in the municipalities.

Keywords: Municipalities; Water and sanitation delivery; Service delivery challenges; Communication dynamics; Innovation; Residents