Community Participation in Water Services in the Lephalale Local Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa

This study investigated the participation of communities in water services in Lephalale Local Municipality. It is a mixed study that adopted a purposive sample. Its sample size was 100 from a population of 125,198. To collect primary data, KII were used, while a literature review was used to collect secondary data. Data from the fieldwork and documentary analysis were contrasted to respond to the participation of community members multi-dimensionally. The study contributed to the multi-dimensional participation of citizens. Specific findings are (i) communities participated in the protection of water sources. (ii) They did not participate in the maintenance of water sources. (iii) Communities participated in the monitoring of the quality of water. (iv) Local leaders mobilised the community during the implementation of water services projects. (v) Community members did not make inputs in implementing water services projects. (vi) Training was provided for the community in water and sanitation projects. The implications of the findings of this article suggest that community participation in water services is still a problem that should be addressed. This study recommended that the functioning of Ward Committees and the Integrated Development Planning process should be strengthened to enhance participation in the Lephalale Local Municipality.