| Summary: | This study is non-empirical and its design is based on three forms of analysis:
conceptualisation, theoretical justification and strategic considerations for a participatory
model in the water services sector in South Africa. In terms of the conceptualisation, the
study addresses the old and new paradigms of sustainable development. First, it argues that
for many years the concept of sustainable development has long dominated the development
discourse. Second, the theoretical justification traces the evolution and meanings of
sustainable development and also patterns and trends of the legacies of colonialism and
apartheid. The descriptive analysis of apartheid and colonialism suggests a new development
path for inclusive people-centred development. The study therefore postulates that in the
South African context, sustainable development is both a political and a historical construct.
This is the basis within which sustainable development should be understood.
Third, the study concludes that context plays an important part in understanding and
challenging the immoral and unjust practices of colonialism and apartheid which have
militated against sustainable human development. The study further provides a description of
the local government and water sectors and their underpinned legislative and policy
framework, and notes impressive results in the delivery of basic water supply since 1994.
However, the study argues that in order for municipalities to fulfil their constitutional
responsibilities as water services authorities, they need to adopt a participatory model
towards sustainable development since this is currently lacking. In doing so, the water
services sector needs to overcome dangers of parochialism which were more evident from the
supply-driven policy of the government. The study therefore draws lessons from three Latin
American countries: Chile, Bolivia and Nicaragua, and proposes a new developmental path
which conforms to the principles of sustainability. This development path is represented in
the form of a dynamic, diagrammatic model for participatory sustainable development. This
model displays successive stages and cycles of transaction between stakeholders. The model
represents a decision support system which provides a conceptual framework for the
diagnosis, consolidation and analysis of information. The model is thus a useful tool which
can be applied in the public sector during project or programme implementation. === Development Studies === D. Litt. et Phil. (Development Studies)
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