Socio- Economic Factors in Rural Water Scarcity: A Case Study of Molepolole Village in Botswana

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to illuminate the socio- economic factors in water provision with a special focus on Molepolole, one of the major villages in Botswana. Intrigued by why such an important resource can be so scarce, the author carried out a focus group qualitative case study of the village using focus group discussions with water stakeholders in the region between November 2011 and May 2012. Using the theory of reasoned action, the author argues that the capacity to act rationally by those with power to provide public goods and services is under siege if reason cannot prevail in ensuring continued access to safe drinking water in Molepolole, one of the biggest villages with a high population. One of the major findings of the exploratory focus group study is that there are problems of urban bias in service provision, cost, efficiency and effectiveness of goods and service provision which paralyses access to safe portable drinking water in in all eight major villages, especially during the dry season. In conclusion, the need for a dialogic process on the importance of seriously taking water as a priority area cannot be overemphasized.