EXPLORING VHAVENDA INDIGENOUS METHODS OF WATER CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT IN TSHIDZIVHE VILLAGE, LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Little is known about African indigenous knowledge of water conservation and management used in former times of water security and sustainability. These valued strategies were set aside in the modern era, because of their strong institutional top-down government management strategies. This approach fails to enhance contemporary sustainable conservation and management strategies. Against this backdrop, the article explores VhaVenda indigenous knowledge systems of water conservation and management in the Limpopo province of South Africa. This study is based on Afrocentric and socio-cultural theory. We adopted an exploratory qualitative research design and collected data using one-on-one (1:1) semi structured interviews and non-participant observations. The knowledge holders (traditional leaders, traditional health practitioners, elderly community members and farmers) were sampled in the Tshidzivhe village using purposive sampling.The article unearths aspects of useful VhaVenda indigenous knowledge that plays an important role in water conservation and management. Cultural beliefs, taboos and understanding of the surrounding natural environment have influenced the promotion of African indigenous knowledge methods of water conservation and management. The authors recommend a collaborative partnership between African indigenous knowledge and Western science in water conservation and management.