This usually means a household yard connection. Sometimes, because of the expertise gained from the implementation phases, people make their own connections to the mains which causes the supply to collapse. Although it is often used as an excuse, affordability is not a serious issue. Everyone seems able to afford the small amounts required as a contribution - usually between R2 and R20 per month. The way projects are structures usually does not provide for enforcing payment.
Many communities pay much more towards school fees because the schools enforce payment.
Everywhere I found communities willing to subsidise those who really cannot pay. In small communities everyone knows the few who really cannot afford to pay anything. It appears that some form of pre-paid system such as that widely used in electricity supply ensures sustainable projects. In many projects the engineering consultants create the environment for the project to collapse. They often do not have the patience, empathy or ordinary social skills to work through project issues with poor communities.