Knowledge Community as an Intervention Mechanism for Drought Resilience in South Africa
Abstract
Drought remains an existential issue in South Africa and it has posed significant threats to crop farming, pastoralism and agro-allied industrial activities. This study, relying on structural-functionalism as theoretical thrust, examined the relevance of knowledge sharing and its receptivity to drought-affected actors at the municipal level. The study adopted survey method and drew 122 participants who are affected by or concerned with water stress for agricultural and agro-allied activities. The data collected were analysed using Chi Square (X2) statistical test and binomial regression. The findings of the study show that the participants believe that knowledge sharing at the municipal level among critical stakeholders will lessen the impacts of drought when it occurs. The participants also indicated that they are willing to be coopted into such arrangement because of their belief that each stakeholder sector holds specialised knowledge and skills that may benefit other sectors and increase drought resilience. It is however important that the facilitation of the knowledge communities at municipal level be championed by the public and private sectors because of the financial implication of institutionalising such arrangement.
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