scholarly journals Assessing states: Water service delivery and evolving state–society relations in Accra, Ghana and Cape Town, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila M Harris
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Trust In Government ◽  
Water Access ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Strongly Connected ◽  
Access And Quality

This paper analyzes water services in relation to trust in government, with insights for broader state–society relations. The work is based on a multi-year and multi-sited case study of underserved areas of Cape Town, South Africa and Accra, Ghana. The analysis reveals that water quality and satisfaction are statistically linked to trust in government in South Africa, but not in Ghana. As well, while indicators of water access and quality appear to be very good in South Africa, there is nonetheless deep contestation and ongoing dis-enfranchisement. For Ghana, water access and quality are important for people’s daily lives, but are less strongly connected to senses of governmental responsibility—although for both countries there is a strong sense that government should be “doing more.” Features of history and context are emphasized in the Discussion and Conclusion sections to understand key differences between the sites and other results.

scholarly journals Review on Main Issues Causing Deterioration of Water Quality and Water Scarcity: Case Study of South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Kapuku Bwapwa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Waste Discharge ◽  
Water Quality Deterioration ◽  
Growing Population

Water shortage in South Africa is a mixture of many factors: limited and highly polluted watercourses, low rainfall, fast growing population and high evaporation rates. Many studies on watercourses have shown a decline on quality due to the ongoing pollution caused by urbanization, mining, industry, power generation, afforestation and agriculture. Given the current forecasts based on population growth versus the country’s limited water resources, it is unlikely to keep existing patterns regarding the use of water and the discharge of wastes. Predictions are also indicating that pollutants will continue to accumulate in freshwater resources independently of the population growth in South Africa. Issues associated with water quality can turn out to be worsened with environmental devastating consequences. For instance, in the agricultural sector it may lead to a drop in yields and quality for fruits and crops followed by soil contamination. It can harmfully affect the population and aquatic health. Furthermore, water quality deterioration can affect the costs related to purification processes resulting in an increased price of clean water. Human induced activities causing salinization, eutrophication, acidification, presence of pathogens in watercourses, inappropriate waste discharge practices and sewage spills are major causes influencing or deteriorating water quality in South Africa. 

scholarly journals An Approach to Developing a Prediction Model of Fertility Intent Among HIV-Positive Women and Men in Cape Town, South Africa: A Case Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 597-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Bai ◽  
Cheng-Shiun Leu ◽  
Joanne E. Mantell ◽  
Theresa M. Exner ◽  
Diane Cooper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Prediction Model ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Hiv Positive Women

scholarly journals The ongoing challenge of restorative justice in South Africa: How and why wealthy suburban congregations are responding to poverty and inequality

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadine F. Bowers du Toit ◽  
Grace Nkomo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Restorative Justice ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Lay Leaders ◽  
Poverty And Inequality ◽  
The World ◽  
Basic Features

South Africa remains one of the most unequal societies in the world and any discussion around poverty and the church’s response cannot exclude this reality. This article attempts to analyse the response of wealthy, ‘majority white’ suburban congregations in the southern suburbs of Cape Town to issues of poverty and inequality. This is attempted through the lense of restorative justice, which is broadly explored and defined through a threefold perspective of reconciliation, reparations and restitution. The first part explores a description of the basic features of poverty and inequality in South Africa today, followed by a discussion on restorative justice. This is followed by the case study, which gives the views of clergy and lay leaders with regard to their congregations’ perspectives and responses to poverty and inequality within the context of restorative justice. Findings from the case study begin to plot a tentative ‘way forward’ as to how our reality can more constructively be engaged from the perspective of congregational involvement in reconstruction of our society.

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