Public Administration and Participation in

Water Service Delivery in South Africa: The

case of the RBN

By Ms Masego Tabane

MA (Development Studies-UJ)

Introduction

Contextualization of study

Water Is considered as a public good. Locals are encouraged to “actively”

participate in sustainable water allocation delivery and local initiatives (Barlow

and Clarke, 2001; Bakker, 2007).

Although public participation is encouraged in Public Administration (through

established systems such as policy framework and procedures put in

place to facilitate effective and efficient services, there are problems of

representation and communities to “actively” participate in local government

sphere..

This is caused by politicization of service delivery within public administration

Contd…

The Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN)-An area located in the North West

province, under Rustenburg Local Municipality (RLM). It is a Tswana dominated

area that comprises of 1 400 km2 of land with approximately 128 000 people in

36 000 households (Royal Bafokeng Holdings, 2016)-.

are one of the communities that has been trying to “actively” participate in the

RLM’s Public Administration system for a while despite the signed the

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institution in fast-

tracking service delivery in the region (RLM, 2014).

RBN Administrative structure

RBN established Royal BafokengAdministration (RBA) which is considered as a local municipality to manage service delivery including water and sanitation (Selepe, 2009; RBN review, 2010; Thornhill and Selepe, 2010; Rand Water, 2011).

E.g Vision 2020 and Plan 35(RBN, 2007; RBN review, 2009)

The local municipality was established before municipal demarcation process which allowed them to function the way they do

However, due to the newly established local municipalities within provinces that were previously governed by pre-apartheid policies…

RBA’s function was questioned by the RLM and academia (anti Bafokeng) (Mnwana, 2014 and 2015).

Since then, RBA has been negotiating with RLM for a Water Services Authority status for a while (WRC, 2015) but policy does not authorize them to do so.

Policy framework ambiguities guiding

water administration in the country

In terms of the Water Services Act (WSA) No. 108 of 1997, Municipal Structures Act and

Municipal Systems Act, RBA is not recognized as a Water Services Agency because it

does not fall under any of the following prescriptions:

WSA is “any municipality, including a district or rural council as defined in the Local

Government Transition Act, 1993 (Act No. 209 of 1993)- repealed by Municipal

Amendment Structures Act, 2000- responsible for ensuring access to water services”

(DWAF, 1997: 11),

Water Service Provider (WSP) is defined as “any person who provides water services to

consumers or another water services institution but does not include a water services

intermediary” (DWAF, 1997:11)

RBA is not a Community Based Organisation (CBO) which is referred to as “a non-profit

organisation within a specific community, providing a municipal service (with a municipal

and community mandate) to that community” (Malau, 2002: 7)

Is government’s public administration system accommodative/inclusive of

communities such as the RBN? What does this all mean for public administration

within the RLM?

Purpose of study

To examine the participation of water users within the RBA water administration system for effective water service delivery in the RLM.

Literature Review

Decentralization and Community water management theories were utilized

to unpack the RBA administrative practice

Aspects of public participation especially (passive participation) from locals

pose a concern in the Public Sector reform

RBA practices are unique and challenge the narratives of theories, scholars and

policy practices

There is a thin line between community management, participation and seeking

authority to render services

Bakgatla-fela community also introduces similar practice in the service delivery

administration.

Is it time to adapt and advance Public Admin in the country? If so, how

can we best adapt this communities?

To what extent has government defined Public participation in policy? Is

the practice a fallacy?

Methodology

About 23 official respondents (RLM, RBA, DWS, DMB, COGTA, SALGA,

Private sector etc) were selected through purposive and snowballing approach.

Semi-structure interviews were deployed in collecting the data

while content analysis and NVIVO software were applied in analyzing the data

Study orientation and design: Social Constructivists and exploratory design

were utilized to frame the study

Research rigor and truth: utilized triangulation method to improve

trustworthiness of study

Research ethics: approval was gained from UJ and RBN to conduct fieldwork

The researcher experienced challenges regarding fieldwork i.e sensitivity of the

study during (fieldwork)

Findings and Discussions

Institutional arrangements of water supply in the RBA:

RBA’s Operations and Maintenance unit; to oversee water administration on the ground,

Water boards and Mining companies also play a role in water administration within the RBA region

Community representations such as Khuduthamaga and Headmen are employed to listen to community’s concerns, interests and dissatisfactions and later discuss them at the Supreme Council for a resolution

Public participation forums exist and local people (morafe) participate in community meetings (Kgothakgothe) to express their interests and dissatisfactions

Water administration Setbacks: RLM and RBA’s water service negotiations are stagnant due to power struggles. Persistent capacity constraints (human, financial and technology) and patronage systems adversely affected quality of water service delivery.

Contd…

Local people’s perceptions and experiences in water administration:

There is a culture of non-payment vs entitlement in the RBA region. This are caused by poverty and

unemployment issues

Morafe is sandwiched between RBA and RLM administration. Locals perceive RLM municipal

councilors as the “other administration” compared to Bafokeng councilors and headmen.

Although the community have raised their concerns to the researcher, they admitted that RBA services

are better as there are minimal water cuts.

Sector departments and practices regarding RBA with water delivery:

Legally, RBA’s Water Services Authority duties in SA’s water governance were not confirmed due to

policy and practice perspectives.

Politicization of service delivery were one of the factors which hinders the RBA to be recognized as a

WSA and or WSP

Staff of non-governmental organisations agreed that RBA's water delivery should be based on active

stakeholder participation with funding support by government.

Conclusion

Participation of citizens should be critically considered especially at policy

formulation and implementation stages of water local initiatives.

SA's water regulatory and policy framework should, therefore, be reviewed,

drawing lessons from the RBA's water supply systems for inclusive,

participatory and effective management of local water services.

Thank you!

For further queries, please contact me (Ms Masego Tabane) at

mnchadi@gmail.com