scholarly journals Using network analysis to analyse the complex interaction of factors causing the failure of small-scale water infrastructure (SWI) in the rural areas of South Africa

Water SA ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (3 July) ◽  
Author(s):  
DC Sambo ◽  
A Senzanje ◽  
K Dhavu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Water Services ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Technical Community ◽  
Drying Up

Some parts of the rural areas of South Africa are receiving water services below the legislative standards stipulated in the Water Services Act (1997) of South Africa. This is because small-scale water infrastructures (SWI), including standpipes, handpumps and windmills, are failing to supply adequate water in rural communities for various activities that enhance their livelihoods. This is due to technical, community, institutional, and environmental factors. Literature indicates that these factors are complex in nature. However, research on their complex interactions has been limited. Therefore, the complex interactions of the factors causing SWI failure were investigated and analysed in this study. A qualitative research approach was employed to investigate the factors that cause failure of SWI. The network approach combined with graph theory and the community structure method were used to generate a theme and domain network that allowed for a systematic analysis and interpretation of the causes of SWI failure in the study area. The major causes of failure identified include: (i) the use of a top-down approach to implement water projects in rural communities without consultation, (ii) sharing of SWI in high numbers due to the limited number of SWI available/functional, resulting in overloading and increased breakdowns, and (iii) drying up of water sources due to poor siting leading to vandalism of SWI. Overall, the causes of SWI failure are as a result of the complex interactions of different categories of factors. The theme and domain network is a powerful tool that can be used represent and analyse the complex interactions. It is therefore imperative for interventions aiming to improve rural water supply to analyse the complex interactions of the causes of SWI failure to understand the underlying problems at a level of a system, in order to propose suitable solutions.

scholarly journals Systems analysis – complex interactions of factors that influence the sustainability of access to improved water services in a rural municipality in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calvin Sambo ◽  
Aidan Senzanje ◽  
Mutanga Onisimo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Water Services ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Rural Municipality ◽  
Effect Relationship ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Limited Budget ◽  
Relationship Of

Abstract Limited understanding of the complex interactions of factors that influence the sustainability of access to improved water services poses a threat to rural livelihoods. The study assessed the complex interactions of the factors using a network approach. The assessment was to understand the complex interaction of the factors resulting from their cause-effect relationship that influence the sustainability of access to improved water services in a rural municipality of South Africa. The results highlighted that limited budget, limited or no water supply and improper operation and maintenance were critical factors resulting from the cause-effect relationship of other factors that influenced the sustainability of access to improved water services in the study area. We conclude that critical factors with a cause-effect relationship can influence the sustainability of access to improved water services. As a result, this deprives rural communities of the benefits derived from accessing improved water services. We recommend the use of the findings by the relevant authorities responsible for water services provision to inform planning, management, policies to address challenges identified to contribute to sustainability of access to improved water services.

scholarly journals POPULATION’S VULNERABILITY TO NATURAL DISASTERS IN RUNNYMEDE VILLAGE AT TZANEEN LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, SOUTH AFRICA

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 160-166
Author(s):  
F.K. Matlakala ◽  
L. Nyahunda ◽  
J.C. Makhubele
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Local Municipality ◽  
The Impact

Purpose of the study: This paper was aimed at determining the population’s vulnerability to natural disasters in Runnymede Village at Tzaneen Local Municipality, South Africa. Methodology: The researchers used the qualitative research approach and the exploratory research design. A total number of 16 participants took part in the study. The participants consisted of small-scale farmers, social workers, and disaster management members. Data was collected through individual semi-structured and focus group interviews and was analysed thematically. Main Findings: The study found that impoverished people in the rural areas, people living with disabilities, children, and women are mainly vulnerable to natural disasters. The study thus concludes that people in rural areas are more prone to the impact of natural disasters due to geopolitical, structural, and cultural systems. Applications of this study: People’s relatives, friends, and others close to them can disappear alongside their livelihoods, homes, hospitals, roads, transport, telecommunications networks, and schools. These effects trigger various emotions such as fear, anger, and grief to community members. To this end, community members will receive holistic intervention from relevant social workers, who will be providing psychosocial support. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study contributes positively to the field of social service, and provides guidelines to social workers to address natural disasters. Due to their educational background, social workers should fight the injustices that people in rural areas are predisposed to. They could challenge these injustices (inequalities) as these infringe on individuals’ rights to dignity and other associated rights.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Genetic Characterisation of Human Sapovirus from Children with Diarrhoea in the Rural Areas of Vhembe District, South Africa, 2017–2020

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 393
Author(s):  
Mpho Magwalivha ◽  
Jean-Pierre Kabue Ngandu ◽  
Afsatou Ndama Traore ◽  
Natasha Potgieter
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Diarrhoeal Disease ◽  
Positive Sample ◽  
Prevalent Strain ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Vhembe District ◽  
Pcr Targeting

Diarrhoeal disease is considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing areas, and a large contributor to the burden of disease in children younger than five years of age. This study investigated the prevalence and genogroups of human sapovirus (SV) in children ≤5 years of age in rural communities of Vhembe district, South Africa. Between 2017 and 2020, a total of 284 stool samples were collected from children suffering with diarrhoea (n = 228) and from children without diarrhoea (n = 56). RNA extraction using Boom extraction method, and screening for SV using real-time PCR were done in the lab. Positive samples were subjected to conventional RT-PCR targeting the capsid fragment. Positive sample isolates were genotyped using Sanger sequencing. Overall SV were detected in 14.1% (40/284) of the stool samples (16.7% (38/228) of diarrhoeal and 3.6% (2/56) of non-diarrhoeal samples). Significant correlation between SV positive cases and water sources was noted. Genogroup-I was identified as the most prevalent strain comprising 81.3% (13/16), followed by SV-GII 12.5% (2/16) and SV-GIV 6.2% (1/16). This study provides valuable data on prevalence of SV amongst outpatients in rural and underdeveloped communities, and highlights the necessity for further monitoring of SV circulating strains as potential emerging strains.

Access to cataract services in selected rural communities in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lunic Base Khoza ◽  
Wilfred Njabulo Nunu ◽  
Bumani Solomon Manganye ◽  
Pfungwa Mambanga ◽  
Shonisani Tshivhase ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Patient Records

Abstract Background Despite government efforts to improve access to health care services through the re-engineered Primary Health Care and National Health insurance platform, access still remain a challenge particularly in rural areas. The aim of this study was to analyse secondary data on cataract patients who were attended to in selected hospitals in rural Limpopo of South Africa. Methodology A cross section survey was conducted on 411 patient records from five selected hospitals in Vhembe district. A pre tested structured checklist was used to guide retrieval of variables from patient records. The collected data was entered into excel spreadsheet, cleaned and imported into Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26 for analysis. Proportions of demographic characteristics were presented and these were cross tabulated with the outcome variable “success of operation” using Chi Squared tests. Results Findings point out that majority of patients who attended hospital for eye services were aged 65 years above and females (63%). There was no association between the tested demographic characteristics and the outcome variable. Most patients were diagnosed in the period 2015-2018 (60%). Over 90% of those that were operated had successful operations. Of the remaining 10% that had unsuccessful operations, 30% cited complications as being the reason why these operations were unsuccessful. Conclusions It is evident from the findings that cataract services offered in rural areas have low impact as they are not accessible to the patient. It is critical to have a worker retention strategy to retain experts.

The Interplay of Agents in Improvising Telecommunication Infrastructures' Services to Rural Community of South Africa

2015 ◽  
pp. 208-225
Author(s):  
Sharol Mkhomazi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
South African ◽  
Service Provider ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Telecommunication Network ◽  
Structuration Theory ◽  
Telecommunication Service ◽  
Network Service Provider

The deployment of telecommunication infrastructures is a challenge in many parts of South Africa particularly in the rural areas. The challenge has impact of communities' members as they do not have network coverage for Internet in some areas. The challenge gets worse with individual telecommunication service provider. Hence there is technological proposal for sharing of infrastructure by the service providers. However, the sharing of infrastructure is not as easy as notion by many individuals and groups institutions included. The article presents findings from a study on how a South African telecommunication network service provider could deploy shared infrastructures in the country's rural communities. The sharing of infrastructure is described by the structure and actions of agents within the infrastructure sharing process. Structuration theory was employed as a lens in the data analysis. The key findings include insufficient distribution of infrastructure, ownership responsibility, competitiveness, infrastructure deployment cost, and signification of regulation.

scholarly journals Small-scale Farming and Access to Market: Challenges and Opportunities in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 50-63
Author(s):  
Confidence Ndlovu ◽  
Mandla Masuku
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Limited Access ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

The paper has aimed to explore the effectiveness of small-scale farmers in improving household income and food security, particularly looking at the barriers to market access in rural areas. This study was undertaken in rural areas of Kanyamazane, Clau-Clau and Nyongane, South Africa, where small-scale producers depend on low-risk and low-return markets to generate household income from production, thus ensuring food security. To achieve the aim of this study, a qualitative approach was used to provide in-depth interpretation of the perspectives, experiences, and behavioural patterns of the small-scale farmers faced with market related issues. Small-scale farmers, agricultural extension officers, and municipal officials were purposefully selected to share their views, perceptions, and experiences on the effectiveness in accessing markets. The findings revealed that there was limited access to formal markets by small-scale farmers because of limited knowledge and capacity to meet market requirements. The study confirmed that a lack of marketing skills, institutional support services, and limited access to arable land, have directly negative effects on achieving livelihood outcomes. This study recommends a sustainable crop production method which reduces the costs of farming resources, such as pesticide and fertilizer, through organic methods to ensure food safety and enhanced nutrient quality. This study further encourages inclusive rural development, where small-scale producers are treated as stakeholders in agricultural policy formulation to enable access to financial resources and increase in production through the formation of cooperatives.

Challenges of Social Work Students from Historically Disadvantaged Universities during Placements in Semi-Rural Areas in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Varoshini Nadesan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Undergraduate Study ◽  
Historically Disadvantaged ◽  
The University

This study highlights the challenges faced by social work students during their fourth-year field placements. The research was conducted among social work students at two historically disadvantaged universities in South Africa. The aim of the study was to understand the field experiences of final-year Bachelor of Social Work students from historically disadvantaged universities. It was anticipated that these students were placed at rural or semi-rural communities that were close to the university. Students in the fourth and final year of their undergraduate study are expected to receive training that would generate advanced field practice experience in specialised settings to prepare them for the reality of social work practice in the workplace. A qualitative study was undertaken among current and past social work students. The findings highlighted issues pertaining to limited placements, poorly managed student placements, access to communities, and supervision challenges. However, the key findings indicate that once placed, the students felt abandoned by their training institutions and left to rely solely on their field supervisors for academic, administrative and developmental guidance. The study recommends that universities be more adept at fulfilling the needs of students and providing comprehensive support. The study also recommends that a suitably administered system of communication between the university, student and placement agency be implemented as part of the comprehensive support to students.

scholarly journals HUMAN RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO COVID-19 VACCINES IN RURAL SOUTH AFRICA: THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 632-644
Author(s):  
John Cantius Mubangizi ◽  
Betty Claire Mubangizi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Right To Health Care ◽  
The Right

The purpose of this article is to explore the role of local government in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly concerning access to COVID-19 vaccines. This is done by first looking at the local government institution as a concept while highlighting its centrality in managing disasters and pandemics. The article then draws on literature to show the challenges and complexities faced by the local government as an institution and how these challenges combine to significantly affect the capacity of local government’s performance in rural areas generally and during the COVID-19 pandemic specifically. The discussion is then narrowed to the role of local government in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines with specific reference to rural areas in South Africa. The discussion adopts a human rights perspective by considering equitable distribution, access to information, the right to health care services, and the right to emergency medical treatment. Other relevant constitutional rights such as equality, human dignity, and life are also discussed or mentioned. The article concludes with recommendations on how the role of local government in facilitating access to COVID-19 vaccines for rural communities can be enhanced, including adopting an intersectional human rights-based approach in the rollout of such vaccines. The novelty of this study lies in the fact that COVID-19 is a new disease. Its vaccines have been recently and quickly developed; hence issues of access, human rights, and the role of local government are critical, particularly in rural settings.

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