If your daily travel passes Nompumelelo Township in Beacon Bay, Buffalo City Metro, you might have spotted residents carrying buckets searching for potable water. This vivid image highlights the daily struggle faced by many in the area, where access to clean water remains a significant challenge.
Inspired by these harsh realities, two researchers from the University of Fort Hare’s (UFH) Centre for Global Change (CGC) undertook a study to shed light on this pressing issue.
The study by Dr Leocadia Zhou, CGC Director, and Dr Shadreck Muchaku, a postdoc research fellow at the center, has garnered international recognition, earning them the 1st Runner-Up Best Paper Award at the International Conference on Green and Sustainable Development held in Kigali, Rwanda, recently.
Titled: “Nuanced Perspectives on the Challenges, Prospects, and Opportunities Confronting Sustainable Access to Potable Water and Sanitary Services in South Africa’s Nompumelelo Community,” the paper was distinguished for its exceptional societal impact, ranking among the most influential research contributions at the conference.
Motivation and Impact of Study
The motivation behind the study, according to the researchers, stems from the pressing need to address persistent disparities in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, especially in peri-urban areas where communities like Nompumelelo are disproportionately affected.
“Access to clean water and adequate sanitation is a fundamental human right, Yet communities like Nompumelelo face significant barriers to achieving this basic necessity. Our research delves into the underlying causes of these challenges and aims to identify sustainable solutions that can bring about real change,” they explained.
Solution Driven Approach
The researchers highlight the importance of integrating community participation into the solution process. “We have prioritized a bottom-up approach in our research, allowing residents to voice their experiences and contribute to the development of practical, locally driven interventions. This ensures that any solutions are contextually relevant and sustainable in the long term.”
The study is particularly significant for vulnerable groups, such as women and children, who bear the brunt of inadequate WASH services. It advocates for increased community empowerment, capacity-building, and improved governance. “By engaging residents directly in the research process, we help them take ownership of the solutions, which builds long-term resilience,” they emphasized.
The research also makes a powerful case for policy reform, aiming to raise public awareness and galvanize advocacy efforts. It also encourages multi-stakeholder collaboration, bringing together government agencies, private sector players, NGOs, and the local community to co-develop solutions.
Health and Well-being Improvements
One of the most striking implications of the study is its potential to improve public health in Nompumelelo. The researchers point out that poor sanitation and lack of clean water contribute significantly to the prevalence of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. “Identifying key barriers and proposing targeted health interventions can reduce the burden of these diseases, improve hygiene practices, and ultimately enhance the community’s overall well-being.”
The study’s emphasis on children’s health is also vital. “Improved WASH services will directly benefit school attendance rates among children, as many suffer from preventable diseases due to poor sanitation.”
Data-Driven Policy and Governance Enhancements
With empirical data, the study provides a crucial resource for enhancing governance and decision-making at both local and national levels. The scholars explain, “Using this data, policymakers can better allocate resources and plan for sustainable infrastructure improvements, ensuring that water and sanitation services are more inclusive and resilient.”
Further, Dr Zhou and Dr Muchaku highlight the potential for their research to serve as a model for other peri-urban communities in South Africa and globally. “The challenges faced by Nompumelelo are not unique. We hope the lessons here can inform similar interventions in other under-served areas, promoting scalable solutions.”
Recognition
“Being recognized at an international platform like this reinforces the importance of our work. It’s not just an academic exercise—this research has the power to transform lives in Nompumelelo and similar communities worldwide.”
“This award highlights the outstanding contributions of our researchers and strengthens our commitment to addressing real-world challenges through evidence-based solutions,” said Dr Zhou.
The duo also applauded doctoral students from the center who participated in the conference, such as Fortunate Mapuka, who was recognized for her exemplary session chairing.
Call to Action
“We need to rethink how we approach WASH service delivery, ensuring that vulnerable communities are no longer left behind.”
By focusing on community engagement, adaptive governance, and innovative solutions, the paper sets the stage for positive change in both policy and practice, helping to secure sustainable access to clean water and sanitation for all.
“This is just the beginning. We hope this work inspires other researchers, policymakers, and communities to collaborate for a better, more equitable future,” said the researchers.
The paper has been accepted for publication in the Frontiers journal.