Water supply challenges, resilience. and coping strategies in Matatani Village, in Vhembe District Municipality, South Africa

Abstract

The global water crisis is projected to remain a pressing challenge over the next decade, intensified by climate change and extreme weather events that heighten risks of food insecurity and social instability. In this context, there is a critical need to investigate local water supply challenges, resilience levels, and coping strategies. This study focused on Matatani Village in the Vhembe District Municipality, South Africa, to contribute to this growing body of knowledge. This study aimed to explore the water supply challenges and coping strategies in Matatani Village. This study adopted a mixed-methods research approach within both the positivist and interpretivist paradigms, employing a descriptive cross-sectional design that integrates qualitative insights with quantitative survey data. Qualitative data were gathered through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving three key groups: traditional council members, community members, and villagers. Quantitative data was collected from 70 household representatives using a structured survey questionnaire. Quantitative data analysis was conducted using frequency distribution tables and graphical displays to organise and summarise the data. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Quantitative findings revealed that Matatani Village faces severe and persistent shortages of clean, reliable water, with adverse implications for community health, daily life, and economic stability. Both quantitative and qualitative findings confirmed that villagers rely on multiple water sources (boreholes, springs, rivers, and municipal piped water). The study further identified key water-supply challenges, including poor water quality, unreliable infrastructure, health and safety risks, seasonal variability, and long distances requiring intensive labour. Further, the results highlight several coping strategies, such as hiring donkey carts, purchasing water from vendors, using alternative water sources, relying on physical labour, and practising rainwater harvesting. The findings highlight the need for urgent and coordinated interventions to improve water supply reliability, strengthen infrastructure, and enhance community resilience through sustainable coping and management strategies. This study concludes that Matatani Village faces substantial and recurring water supply challenges stemming from unreliable infrastructure, seasonal variability, and long travel distances, which significantly impact residents’ health, livelihoods, and overall well-being. The study recommended infrastructure upgrades, water quality improvement initiatives, the implementation of decentralisation, training of community structures for the maintenance of available water resources, and the allocation of financial resources to strengthen coping mechanisms, such as the use of water vendors and the integration of rainwater harvesting and filtration.