Abstract
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.