Abstract
This thesis deals with the participatory structures people may take advantage of in order to influence the implantation of the right to water in the city of Durban in South Africa. The thesis discuss the use of judicial, political as well as administrative structures established to ensure participation. In the thesis these channels are called invited channels of participation. The thesis also discuss the means and tools civil society use to gain influence. These civil society organizations use both the invited channels of participation as well as created and invented channels of participation. The theoretical perspectives used are the Human Rights-Based Approach to Development (HRBA) coupled with participation theory using the notion of the channels of participation, along with Arnstein’s (1969) ladder of participation. Furthermore, the human right to water is also making a basis in the thesis and arguments are made that while the rhetoric of the human right to water is present, these notions continually competes with other concerns and interests.