Examining the Contribution of Hybridity and Co-Production towards Enhancing the Delivery of Potable Water in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which hybridity and coproduction have been adopted and implemented in local governments` quest to provide portable water services in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. To achieve the study objectives, we used a qualitative research approach, a case study design where the Eastern Cape Province was used as a case. In addition, data was collected using expansive literature, and thematic analysis was utilized to analyze data. The study revealed that the implementation of hybridity and coproduction mechanisms in the province have remained marginal. These mechanisms are multiple-use water services (MUS), public-private partnerships (PPPs), and water schemes. Despite these hybridity and coproduction mechanisms' existence, potable water delivery has not improved due to many challenges, including the top-down approach to water delivery, resistance to sharing power and resources, lack of coordination across departments and community skepticism towards the government. We recommend adopting a decentralised approach, enhancing coordination across departments, building community trust and capacity and incentivising innovative solutions from the private sector. Its critical examination of existing hybridity and coproduction mechanisms, revealing their inadequacies while proposing actionable strategies that integrate community engagement and decentralised management to enhance potable water service delivery thereby advancing both practical solutions and theoretical insights within the body of knowledge on coproduction.