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Eyewitness News
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Eyewitness News
Water and Sanitation Dept says not responsible for delays in Lesotho Highlands Water Project
JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Water and Sanitation says it is not responsible for the delays in reactivating the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). The tunnel, which had been undergoing maintenance since October last year, was not restored to operation by its scheduled deadline at the end of March. Its main function is to transport over 700 million cubic meters of water annually from Lesotho to at least five South African provinces to ensure water security in the region. The tunnel was finally brought back online on Sunday. Over the past seven months, the department, in collaboration with its Lesotho counterpart, has been meticulously carrying out maintenance on the LHWP. READ: Water from Lesotho gushes into SA's conduits 7 months after shutdown The 38-kilometre-long tunnel required a thorough inspection for surface cracks and corrosion. It was recoated using 43,000 litres of paint. Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said the work on the South African side was completed before the end of March, with delays occurring primarily on the Lesotho side. "On the Lesotho side, they were not done. Their delays were caused by inclement weather and they requested an additional three weeks. We were patient with them because we also received heavy rain, so we had to allow them to do things in the correct manner." The tunnel is now back in operation, transporting water from Lesotho into South Africa's Vaal River integrated system.
IOL News
25-05-2025
- IOL News
Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) reopens, easing water security concerns
The 38-kilometre tunnel, Ash River that runs from Lesotho to South Africa via the Free State, has been officially opened on Sunday. Image: Kamogelo Moichela/IOL The Department of Water and Sanitation has officially reopened the 38km Ash River Tunnel in Clarens, Free State, expressing satisfaction that South Africa did feel a pinch of water shortages during the shutdown of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). The shutdown, which began in October 2023, was necessary to conduct essential upgrades and inspections both within the tunnel and on external infrastructure. The process faced unexpected delays, primarily due to incomplete work on the Lesotho side of the project and further compounded by heavy rainfall in the region. Water Minister Pemmy Majodina, the department team, the Free State government led by Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, and also the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) oversaw the opening. 'A fihlile meetsi, a fihlile, (The water has arrived, it has arrived),' Majodina said at the reopening. Addressing the issue of delays and shortages, Majodina said, 'There was no day zero; the challenge of water supply has nothing to do with bulk water supply.' 'The water that you see running down the streets, it is the water that comes from the bulk water supply, but the challenge is provision, which is not our not our mandate," Majodina said. 'We will keep working with our municipalities to close the leaks because what makes water run down the streets is leaks.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) is a landmark binational initiative between Lesotho and SA. This strategic infrastructure project is designed to achieve two primary objectives: supplying water to South Africa's Gauteng region — the country's economic hub — and generating hydroelectric power to meet Lesotho's domestic energy needs. The project encompasses the construction of an integrated system of dams, transfer tunnels, and hydroelectric power stations. These components work together to facilitate the transfer of water from the highlands of Lesotho to the Vaal River System in South Africa, while simultaneously enhancing Lesotho's energy security through sustainable power generation. IOL
Zawya
22-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
President Ramaphosa to undertake Working Visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho
President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Wednesday, 23 April 2025, undertake a Working Visit to Maseru, Lesotho, to Co-Chair the Second Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho, with His Excellency Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, Prime Minister of Lesotho. This South Africa–Lesotho Bi-National Commission (BNC) follows the Inaugural Session which was held in September 2023 in Pretoria. The elevation of bilateral cooperation to a BNC level in 2022 was a recognition of the solid foundation upon which relations between the two countries are founded. Further, it is a practical demonstration of the two countries' resolve that cooperation in various sectors should benefit all. South Africa will use the upcoming session of the BNC to promote greater solidarity among countries of the region and the South in the light of geopolitical shifts. South Africa will also underscore the strategic importance of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) and highlight a need to expedite the speedy implementation of Phase II of the project, taking into consideration the agreed timelines and allocated budget. Many South African companies have made significant investments in Lesotho, which have created thousands of jobs. The Bi-National Commission is expected also to reflect on the movement of people between the two states. This week's engagement between the two countries will, among other discussions, focus on: Fostering stronger political and bilateral relations between the two countries; Deepening economic cooperation; Reviewing implementation of the outcomes of the inaugural session of the BNC and identifying new priority areas; and Exchanging views on regional, continental and global issues of mutual concern. The BNC will be preceded by the Meeting of Senior Officials (SOM) and the Council of Ministers Meeting scheduled for 22 April 2025. President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by 15 Ministers. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
