sustainable solutions' focus on africa 1 water management in a hyper- inflationary environment:...

'Sustainable Solutions' Focus on Africa

1

Water management in a hyperinflationary environment: a case

study of Nkayi District in Zimbabwe

By

Nyasha Mazango

University of Birmingham, UK

&

Cephas Munjeri

Practical Action, Southern Africa


2

General background• Economic problems affecting all sectors of the economy• Government subsidies are limited, donor and non-governmental

support is limited resulting in deteriorating service delivery• Increased idle and dysfunctional water infrastructure (only 29%

(UNICEF, 2004). • Increased demand for improved safe water. • The government incapable of managing existing water projects, let

alone implementing new ones• The poor people have to manage efficiently the existing water

supply systems.• Rural communities are forced to devise methods and strategies to

cope with these problems and to ensure sustainability of water services


3

Conceptual Issues

• Water management

• Sustainability

• Hyperinflationary environment

• Social safety nets and water service sustainability


4

Policy evolution in water development in Zimbabwe (1980-1990)

• 1980s Rural development- communal and resettlement areas inhabited by about 70% of the population

• 1984 Prime Minister's directive to administer the process of service redistribution

• Implementation of IRWSS influenced by Water Decade.• CBM, User-pay system, commercialisation… • Capacity building of local authorities and their

communities to co-opt new institutions into their existing structures.


5

Results of management strategies

• 87% of water points in Nkayi are functional• There is user satisfaction and increased water

user management system which is intertwined within Nkayi’s social and traditional institutions

• Water is central and promoting other income generating projects, livestock, grain selling, market gardening

• source of empowerment for women• Trickle-down effects on improved nutrition and

household income • Increased sense of ownership & pride


6

Nkayi: sustainability approach to water management

• Emphasising cost recovery mechanisms- community members are viewed as not only participants but investors.

• Water management characterised by cost recovery• Zunde raMambo or Isipahala sa Nkosi (the Chief’s

granary) • Constitutionalised maintenance team• Operational Water Point Committee • localised technology (digging wells) • socio-technical cooption of management style in water

projects• Role of Practical Action.


7

The sustainability chain: linking management to success

Sustainable water supply Continued support

Cost RecoveryLivelihoods assets

O & MCommunity based Trained locals

Motivation-to demand for service

Participation Nkayi community


8

Conclusion: essentialities for domestic water management

• Local people are central to water project management for sustainability

• establishing a functioning water point committee• Demand-responsive interventions to water

supply and management• Understanding community’s assets and

capabilities• Traditional institutions and values• Institutional support from NGOs and local

government


9

The End

Suggestions

&

Comments

sustainable solutions' focus on africa 1 water management in a hyper- inflationary environment:...

Documents