President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his approval regarding the launch of Second Phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. He conveyed his sentiments during the inaugural session of the Bi-National Commission held in Pretoria on a Thursday.
“South Africa places significant value on the collaborative efforts related to water resources shared with Lesotho. Of particular note is our warm embrace of Phase II within the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, recognizing its pivotal role in bolstering water security within the Gauteng province and other regions of South Africa.
“This noteworthy endeavor also plays a substantial part in fostering employment opportunities within Lesotho, alongside the development of new road infrastructure, which, in turn, grants access to hitherto remote areas of Lesotho. South Africa expresses its readiness to collaborate closely with Lesotho in tackling any potential challenges that may surface during the project’s execution.” He said
This significant infrastructure endeavor, the largest of its kind between South Africa and Lesotho, encompasses the development of tunnels and dams designed to redirect water from the Lesotho mountains to South Africa. Phase One was successfully completed in 2004, and in 2010, Pretoria committed to undertaking the second phase of this monumental project.
Construction cost for the Second Phase of Lesotho Highlands Water Project
Phase II of the project is estimated to cost approximately $1bn (R7.3bn) The first phase was completed In 2004, with Pretoria signing an agreement in 2010, to undertake the second phase.
Furthermore, President Ramaphosa underscored that discussions are actively underway to address the issue of illegal mining by Basotho citizens within South Africa, reflecting a commitment to resolving this challenge.
Also read Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) in Southern Africa
