Water Shortage Management at Letaba Water Catchment Area in Limpopo Province, of South Africa

Abstract

Water shortages have been experienced in many parts of the world and more so in Africa. Many households have been negatively affected by lack of access to clean water. Water scarcity affects many spheres of living such as agricultural, economic, environmental, industrial and social spheres. Hence, water management issues have been on the top agenda of many governments and policy makers around the globe as the scarcity of this essential commodity is aggravated by global warming. It is against this background that an empirical investigation was conducted at Letaba catchment area. The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the efficiency of water management strategies put in place at Letaba catchment area. The mixed-methods research approach was used, namely qualitative and quantitative. The researchers conducted the interviews with the relevant government officials. Questionnaires were also distributed to validate the information gathered through the interviews. One of the research findings was that strategies used to manage water shortages were ineffective and that communities around were not consulted when water management policies were developed. Thus, literature and legislation relevant to the phenomena were reviewed. The research recommended that local communities should be consulted whenever water management strategies and policies are developed.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n27p1356