The purpose of this descriptive, qualitative study was to assess water supply and demand constraints amongst two tribal communities in South Africa to determine opportunities for needs to be met. A snowball sampling method was utilized to locate and identify twenty survey participants (N = 20) to reach saturation of data. Ten survey participants (N = 10) from each community were interviewed. A semi-structured interview process was employed with participants to help achieve the study's objectives in two communities. Ajzen's theory of planned behavior was used to frame this study.
The study showed that the primary barriers which exist in both communities to increase water availability are due to deficiencies in conservation practices, funding, competent employees, leadership accountability, and security enforcement. The Makgato and Welverdiend communities held parallel water saving and transportation practices, consisting of jerry cans, tubs, storage tanks, wheel borrows, small trucks, mules and manual labor. Overall, attitudes expressed by survey participants show that community members were mindful that change needs to be directed from the community level in order to improve current water conditions. The majority of participants were hopeful that their community could create progress in the future by using the powers that they currently hold to influence necessary changes.
Competent and effective Extension Systems are needed to assist farmers in tribal communities to acquire and conserve water. Governmental and non- governmental Extension organizations can work with farmers to reduce barriers regarding the access of water through the promotion of community involvement and responsibility. Training is needed to enable community members to manage and repair water technologies. Extension personnel can better foster an understanding of the innovations to conserve water for farm and family use to aid in the battle against food security.
