Lesotho Highlands Water Project

THE EPITOME OF DAM EXPERTISE

THE E P I TO M E O F DA M EXPERTISE Facilitating a comprehensive synthesis between dam technology and energy production, Tente Tente, Chief Executive of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, the implementing agency for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, enlightens us about the project’s most recent developments in hydropower and water transfer Writer: Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Kyle Livingstone

L

ocated in a landlocked kingdom surrounded by South Africa (SA), the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) resides in the broader Orange-Senqu River Basin, existing as a transboundary resource for SA, Botswana, Lesotho, and Namibia.

As a result, the basin can be utilised as a lucrative opportunity to allocate, manage, and develop its water resources in such a way that it can define and impact

2 | Africa Outlook Issue 104

geopolitical relations and domestic resources for the region and the extended continent.

In recent years, Lesotho has benefitted greatly from improved roads, telecommunications (telecoms), and power infrastructure, which is further supported by efficient skills transfer and capacity building that enables the country to manage and maintain necessary infrastructure and develop future LHWP phases.

LESOTHO HIGHLANDS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ENERGY & UTILITIES

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GIBB offers a wide array of services throughout Africa. For dams and hydropower projects these include early investigations, pre-feasibility studies, preliminary design, procurement, detailed design, construction supervision and project management as well as the role of Owner’s Engineer and Specialist Advisor.

GIBB is the leading member of Matla-a-Metsi Joint Venture of the Polihali Dam project which is part of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). GIBB is providing Professional Services for the design and construction supervision of the Dam. GIBB also offers services in tunnelling & underground works, water & infrastructure, transportation including roads, rail and airports, mining, power, petrochemicals & energy, and property. For a full range of services and a list of our flagship projects please visit: https://www.gibb.co.za/ Advert Hydro_Oct_Final.indd 1

2023/10/05 10:30:18

Our highly skilled, experienced and largely professional team provides the following expertise, to local, regional and global clients.

MPAMOT is proud to be part of the Matla a Metsi JV and associated with the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority on Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

As a 100 percent black woman owned and led engineering and development consultancy MPAMOT has spearheaded transformation in the built environment for more than 25 years.

MPAMOT Group and our subsidiaries MPAMOT Africa and MPAMOT Lesotho provides over 150 staff members with offices in Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Lesotho and various site offices. We offer a vast range of services to our clients across Africa, bringing comprehensive capability, proficiency and supplying a great depth of knowledge and service in this rapidly developing sector.

As a consultancy with multinational links, we have the ability to draw on a range of international skills and insights from our global network. In this regard, MPAMOT’s ability to apply broad-ranging expertise and experience gives us a decisive edge in analysing problems and coming up with creative, sustainable solutions with added value on projects.

We welcome your comments, thoughts and suggestions on how we can partner to increase our value to all our stakeholders. Contact us by email, phone or follow us on social media.

GAUTENG HEAD OFFICE 147 Bram Fischer Drive | Randburg | Gauteng +27 (0) 11 052 1000 info@mpamot.com www.mpamot.com

KWA-ZULU NATAL 21 Aurora Drive Street | Umhlanga | KwaZulu Natal +27 (0) 31 824 1000 info@mpamot.com www.mpamot.com

WESTERN CAPE 2 Heerengracht Street | Cape Town | Western Cape +27 (0) 21 820 5900 info@mpamot.com www.mpamot.com

LESOTHO 83A Caledon Road | Maseru West | Lesotho +27 (0) 11 052 1000 info@mpamot.com www.mpamot.com

Katsé dam project

Sustainable engineering solutions for water infrastructures worldwide With more than 100 years of experience, Tractebel provides high level engineering solutions to public and private organisations for the implementation and operation of large infrastructures in the field of Hydropower, Water Resources, Water Supply and Sanitation. tractebel-engie.com water@tractebel.engie.com

Consulting Engineers LYMA Consulting Engineers owes its roots in Lesotho, utilising locally developed talent of civil engineers. The company was formed by local Lesotho citizens with the vision to provide professional services in the development of critical infrastructure in the country.

This culminated in growth that was exported to South Africa and the company aspires to greater participation on the African continent and beyond.

LYMA is an active participant in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II as a partner in the Matla a Metsi Joint Venture, an entity that is responsible for professional services for the ongoing Polihali Dam construction. Matla a Metsi was appointed to supervise the design and construction of Polihali Dam, to be completed in 2028.

The company currently has a footprint at various locations in South Africa, namely Kimberley, Johannesburg and Bloemfontein, as well as Maseru, Lesotho.

Contact: reception@lyma.co.za Maseru: Tel: +266 22312 078 Kimberley: Tel: +27 53 831 3330 Cell: +27 83 601 4294

AFRICA OUTLOOK: COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR STAFF PROCUREMENT PROCESS? TENTE TENTE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE: “In terms of our staff, consultants, and contractors, we hold a peoplecentric focus and prefer to utilise local resources and people, particularly centred around Lesotho, SA, the South African Development Community (SADC), and member states, before referring to international resources if necessary.

“We want to ensure that the procurement process fosters competitiveness, transparency, costeffectiveness, and quality.

“Therefore, the objective of the company’s employment strategy is to create a professional team of experts with the best skills and experience to deliver the scope of work required.”

6 | Africa Outlook Issue 104

LHWP’s strategic location means that it can have a meaningful impact on the geographical and socioeconomic make-up of the country, particularly within the context of the wider African energy and utilities industry, and further its transition towards sustainability.

“It is one of the most exciting industries to work in due to the global realities of climate change and resource management. Specifically, green resources and green energy have taken centre stage in global, regional, and local discourse,” opens Tente Tente, Chief Executive of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA).

LESOTHO HIGHLANDS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ENERGY & UTILITIES

PHASE ONE – UTILISING RESOURCES Established as a mutually beneficial project in the 1980s, LHWP is a bilateral partnership between the governments of Lesotho and SA and managed by LHDA. In short, when SA receives muchneeded water for the province of Gauteng, Lesotho generates hydropower in the transportation process and subsequently earns royalties from the water that is transferred through the region.

Through a series of dams and tunnels, LHWP envisages that it will ultimately transfer a total of 70 cubic metres (m3) of water per second

northwards towards the Vaal River system in Gauteng, whilst utilising the water delivery system to generate hydropower for domestic use in Lesotho and beyond.

In 1986, Lesotho and SA signed the treaty that governed LHWP and committed the two countries to the implementation of the first stage, which was completed in two phases –1A and 1B – consisting of the main tunnel system and hydropower station.

Phase 1A comprised the Katse Dam in the central Maluti Mountains, as well as the Muela Hydropower Station (MHS), with a capacity of 72 megawatts (MW), and the construction of a

45 kilometre (km) transfer tunnel and a 37km delivery tunnel.

Meanwhile, phase 1B involved the construction of the Mohale Dam on the Senqunyane River, with a storage capacity of 958 million m3.

Additionally, a 19 metre (m) high Matsoku Wier and 6.4km transfer tunnel were inaugurated.

Overall, the first stage was completed in 2004, and approximately 4.8 billion m3 of water had been transferred by 2007.

“The dams and tunnels built in phase one have greatly expanded the tourism sector in Lesotho, and provided muchneeded jobs and opportunities for local entrepreneurs,” Tente explains.

Polihali Lodge - under construction hase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) includes provision for augmenting the water transfer to South Africa through construction of the new Polihali Dam and a 38km transfer tunnel to Katse Dam. The Phase II works are being implemented under several work packages.

The areas of responsibility for the PIC JV members were as follows: 1.

2.

Polihali Infrastructure Consultants Joint Venture (PIC JV) comprising MPAMOT Africa (Lesotho Branch) and Khatleli Tomane Architects, formerly Khatleli Tomane Moteane Architects (KTM Architects) were awarded the advance infrastructure and enabling works contract at the Polihali area in Mokhotlong District and Katse in Thaba-Tseka District, construction sites which form part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II.

MPAMOT Africa – Project Management, Civils/Roads, Water/ Wastewater, Electrical/C&I, Structural, Geotech, HSE. KTM Architects – Architecture, Building Services, Bulk Power/Telecoms, Quantity Surveying.

PIC JV provided services related to design, bills of quantities, construction and performance specifications, cost estimates and construction planning and monitoring for: 1.

Advance Infrastructure Civil Works and Utilities consisting of earthworks, temporary and permanent access roads, bulk water supply systems and reticulation, wastewater systems and reticulation, bulk power, telecommunications and reticulation, stormwater management infrastructure.

Consultants/staff Housing - completed The construction works were implemented via the following contracts: 1.

2.

3.

Katse Lodge - under construction 2.

3.

Construction of offices and work areas, management and labour accommodation camps.

Permanent infrastructure designed for use both during construction and post-construction consisting of : 96 staff housing buildings, 32 room capacity 4 star rated visitors’ lodge, recreational centre, tennis and volleyball courts, Operations Centre, Commercial Centre and Primary School on Polihali site and 40 staff housing, upgrade of Katse Lodge to 41 room capacity 4 star rating, backpackers lodge, Caravan Park and upgrades to the Botanical Garden Information Centre at the Katse site.

4.

5.

Contract LHDA 4018A - Construction of Advance Infrastructure Civil Works and Utilities Contract LHDA 4018B - Construction of Polihali village Contract LHDA 4018C - Construction of Operations and Visitors Centre at Polihali Contract LHDA 4018D - Construction of Commercial Centre at Polihali Contract LHDA 4018E - Construction of Katse Village Housing

With the project located in the highlands of Lesotho where the weather is very cold in winter, all building facilities have been designed for energy efficiency through use of insulated cavity walls and the incorporation of a trombe wall in the north facing rooms in order to harvest and retain of daytime heat to release in the evening. The wall construction buildings has adopted a creative use of architectural gabion wall cladding in strategic places to relate with the environment of big engineering works of the dam and tunnel construction.

The PIC JV team comprised 22 design and 18 site resources at its peak and oversaw approx. CAPEX budgets of R110 million (Consultants) and R1,2 billion (Construction).

Operation Centre - under construction

Nthedi Monapathi - PIC JV Project Manager 83A Caledon Road, Maseru 100, Lesotho Mobile +27 839509087 | +266 58496368 nthedim@mpamot.com

KHATLELI TOMANE ARCHITECTS

Khatleli Tomane Architects is a Black owned Architectural practice

with vast architectural experience operating.in both the Kingdom Khatleli Tomane Architects is a Black owned Architectural practiceof with vast architectural experience in both the since Kingdom Lesotho and the Republic of South operating Africa in the region 1962 of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa in the region since and 1983 respectively.

1962 and 1983 respectively.

Inter alia, the practice offers full architectural services in The offers full Architectural services the following sectors thepractice following sectors: commercial officeinand retail facilities, Educational facilities, andof cultural Town planning, Industrial inta alia : Health facilities,Urban Planning villages, commercial buildings, Transport terminals and Intermodal facilities, Police office and retail facilities, Educational facilities, Urban and Town station facilities, Correctional services facilities, Stadium and planning, Industrial buildings, Transport terminals and Intermodal sports facilities, Banking facilities.

facilities, Police Station facilities, Correctional Services facilities, Khatleli Tomane Architects takes pride in being associated with Stadium and sports facilities, Banking facilities. the Lesotho Highlands Development Agency on Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project through its partnership the Polihali Infrastructure Consultants JV. Khatleli Tomane Architects takes pride in being associated with the Lesotho Highlands Development Agency on Phase II of the Contact Us: Water Project through its partnership the Lesotho Highlands +266 5885 3126Consultants JV .

Polihali Infrastructure khatlelib@ktmarch.co.is | ktmdrawings@gmail.com

Contact us by phone and email: Tomane Moteane Architects contacts +266 5885 3126

khatlelib@ktmarch.co.ls / ktmdrawings@gmail.com

At MPAMOT we strive to support the following main sectors and client groups.

MPAMOT is proud to be part of the Polihali Infrastructure Consultants JV and associated with the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority on Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

As a 100 percent black woman owned and led engineering and development consultancy MPAMOT has spearheaded transformation in the built environment for more than 25 years.

We offer a vast range of services to our clients across Africa, bringing comprehensive capability, proficiency and supplying a great depth of knowledge and service to our clients.

Diversity, equality, and inclusion form part of our ethos. Hence, MPAMOT is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact Women’s Empowerment Principles. MPAMOT spearheads gender mainstreaming in the engineering and built environment and values the contribution of both men and women in structuring the future.

We welcome your comments, thoughts and suggestions on how we can partner to increase our value to all our stakeholders. Contact us by email, phone or follow us on social media. +27 (0) 11 052 1000 info@mpamot.com www.mpamot.com

LESOTHO HIGHLANDS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ENERGY & UTILITIES

PHASE TWO – TRANSFORMING HYDROPOWER LHDA greatly celebrates the launch of the second phase of LHWP, which includes the construction of the Polihali Dam, the Polihalli Transfer Tunnel, the Oxbow Hydropower Scheme, and three major bridges.

Phase TWO of the LHWP was officially kicked off in May 2023, officiated by Lesotho’s King Letsie III, and SA’s President Cyril Ramaphosa.

These projects are complemented by an advanced infrastructure programme that includes main road networks to the Mokhotlong district and towns, project housing, access roads, as well as power and telecoms infrastructure, and social and environmental programmes to mitigate the impact of the project on surrounding communities.

The awarding of the construction contracts for the Polihali Dam and 10 | Africa Outlook Issue 104

Polihali Tunnel, alongside the Senqu Bridge, which is the biggest of phase two’s major bridges, took place towards the end of 2022.

“The Polihali Dam will be integral in meeting the demand for water in SA, as it has a storage capacity of 2,325m3. The increased volume of water transferred will simultaneously increase power generation to meet Lesotho’s domestic needs,” Tente urges.

Construction of the Polihali Dam commenced in August 2023, with the construction of a cofferdam to divert the Senqu River (Orange River) into diversion tunnels, leaving the downstream site for the cofferdam and the main Polihali Dam wall to dry and be readied for major works.

It consists of two concrete faced rockfill dams (CFRD), the main dam, and a saddle dam. The Polihali Dam will have a height of 164m, with a

“ T H E S E C O N D P H A S E E N TA I L S COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL AND E N V I R O N M E N TA L P R O G R A M M E S T H AT W I L L M I T I G AT E T H E I M P A C T O N COMMUNITIES IN THE PROJECT AREAS, A N D W I L L B E N E F I T L E S OT H O A N D B A S O T H O I N T H E L O N G -T E R M ” – T E N T E T E N T E , C H I E F E X E C U T I V E , L E S OT H O H I G H L A N DS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

crest length of 915m, and is slated for completion in 2028.

In counterpart, the Polihali Tunnel facilitates increased water flow from the Polihali resevoir to the Katse reservoir, subsequently increasing the waterflow available for hydropower generation.

The tunnel will be 38m long in total, with a tunnel boring method used to excavate the main tunnel, whilst drilling

and blasting will be employed for various access adits and the lake tap.

From the Katse reservoir, water will enter a 45km transfer tunnel via the intake tower, where it will then flow towards the underground MHS. Here, hydropower is generated for Lesotho’s domestic use before flowing through a delivery tunnel towards SA, supplementing its water supply.

The increased volume of water

from the Katse reservoir will enable the MHS to operate for longer periods at maximum capacity, therefore increasing the amount of hydropower generated at the plant by approximately 40 percent.

The Oxbow Hydropower Scheme, on the other hand, will have an annual energy output of approximately 33 percent of the current capacity of the MHS, as this station will operate for a specific number of hours per day.

However, at full capacity, the station will be able to generate up to 80MW when in operation.

The MHS already produces an independent power source for Lesotho, which was part of the infrastructure built in phase one.

However, phase two will increase the current production capacity and is a significant step in the journey to securing an increased power supply to keep up with demand in the enclave.

Corporate and Investment Banking

BOLSTERING GROWTH THROUGH THE LESOTHO HIGHLANDS WATER PROJECT PHASE II Standard Lesotho Bank is the biggest financial services provider in Lesotho with the requisite pedigree to support big infrastructure projects in the country. Firmly rooted in the African continent, Standard Lesotho Bank is a subsidiary of the Standard Bank Group.

million cubic metres of water. This dam will add a further 400 million cubic metres of water to supply Johannesburg, the thirsty industrial hub of South Africa. The Bank is a partner to the main contractors who have won major tenders in building the dam wall, major bridges and a 38 kilometre tunnel The Group has a history spanning over 160 connecting Polihali and Katse main years of operating in Africa since 1862 and reservoir. is represented in 20 African countries, as well as in other selected emerging markets The Bank has surpassed local standards to outside Africa. The Group is the largest meet international benchmarks to support African bank in terms of assets and earnings multinational companies with bespoke banking and has a strong focus on Africa and other solutions valued in billions of Maloti to realise emerging markets. the construction of Polihali Dam, which is one of the biggest projects of our lifetime that is The Bank is currently the financial services poised to make a significant contribution in anchor to the M42 Billion Polihali Dam the growth of Lesotho’s economy for the next construction, which forms Phase II of the six years and into the future.

Lesotho Highlands Water Project. This project is aimed at building a 166 metre It is not only the multinational companies that high dam with a storage capacity of 2 325 we have supported to bring the Lesotho *Terms and conditions apply. Standard Lesotho Bank is an authorised financial services and registered credit provider (NCRCP15)

Highlands Water Project to life; we have also enabled Basotho businesses to earn their stake and maximise their opportunities to grow in this project. That is why we have partnered with small and medium enterprises that service contractors who are building the dam and tunnels at the project.

Commanding the largest market share, our purpose is Lesotho is our home, we drive her growth. We are deeply rooted in the Mountain Kingdom because we believe in her capabilities and her people.

We believe that Lesotho is a country of opportunity and prosperity, that is endowed with resources and a great people. For that, we continue to pledge our unwavering support in the growth trajectory of our nation, because we believe in here!

8002 2221 lesothocorp@stanbic.com www.standardlesothobank.co.ls

WE BELIEVE IN HERE Lesotho

LESOTHO HIGHLANDS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ENERGY & UTILITIES

LHWP’S ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY The company has recently implemented mitigation programmes that address the risks to plants, fish, birds, and other wildlife.

Phase one of LHWP’s environmental action plan included an Integrated Catchment Management Programme (ICMP), which specifically addresses erosion and the impacts it has on reservoirs and the livelihoods of farmers. The programme combines training on sustainable land use, rangeland management, and erosion control, with practical interventions to manage rainwater runoff.

Similarly, ICMP and the proposed Biodiversity Management Programme are currently being rolled out and are set to further protect local wildlife.

Finally, three major bridges are also being constructed in phase two of LHWP, namely Senqu, Khubelu, and Mabunyaneng. Upon completion, the bridges will provide access to Mokhotlong across the reservoir and retain connectivity to the national road network, which contains the main route to Lesotho’s capital city, Maseru. The bridges and road networks will improve 14 | Africa Outlook Issue 104

access to essential services for many Mokhotlong communities and increase economic activity in various sectors, especially ecotourism and agriculture.

ALLEVIATING DISRUPTION The implementation of large infrastructure projects such as LHWP can have many disruptive effects on the local environment and the lives

LESOTHO HIGHLANDS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ENERGY & UTILITIES

of the people in the surrounding area. Phase two of the project is no exception to this.

“The second phase entails social and environmental programmes that will mitigate the impact on communities in the project areas, which will benefit Lesotho in the longterm,” Tente assures.

This includes a ‘bottom-up’ approach to managing the social and environmental impacts, enabling LHWP to work with local communities to specifically understand their preferences for replacement housing, livelihood restoration programmes, and compensation, as well as implementing environmental, cultural, and public health plans to reduce the impact of construction activities.

“The most tangible disruption is the need to resettle people from where they are residing, these individuals mostly being subsistence farmers 16 | Africa Outlook Issue 104

“ S O U N D E N V I R O N M E N TA L M A N A G E M E N T U N D E R P I N S T H E S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y O F L H W P, A N D L H D A I S S T E A D FA S T I N I T S C O M M I T M E N T TO P R E S E RV I N G T H E I N T E G R I T Y O F T H E WAT E R S O U R C E S A N D R I V E R S T H AT F E E D L H W P A N D M I T I G AT E I T S I M P A C T O N T H E ENVIRONMENT” - T E N T E T E N T E , C H I E F E X E C U T I V E , L E S OT H O H I G H L A N DS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

living on the ancestral coast,” Tente adds.

For example, the construction of the Polihali Dam and the filling of the reservoir will cover over 5,000 hectares of land surrounding the Senqu and Khubela rivers, which necessitates permanent land acquisition and the displacement of households.

To alleviate this disruption, approximately 270 families will be resettled, working closely with community leaders and households to identify all the affected individuals.

The first resettlement houses in the Mokhotlong district were handed over in early April 2023, whilst others who are yet to be directly affected have already had their assets registered

and will be resettled when their new dwellings have been constructed and all necessary consultations completed.

LHWP also produces direct benefits for the people of Lesotho in various ways, including skills transfer, job creation, and expanded opportunities for Lesotho and South African businesses.

For instance, the project facilitates efficient skills transfer in the use of 18 | Africa Outlook Issue 104

local architects, engineers, surveyors, and construction companies, who are exposed to large-scale infrastructure development projects throughout both phases of LHWP. “LHDA has put in place measures to ensure that the recruitment of unskilled labour is done in a transparent manner, through engagement with local leadership and relevant district government departments during the recruitment

process,” Tente explains.

All project recruitment practices are conducted in a transparent and equitable manner for the people of Lesotho and SA, with an intent emphasis on sourcing skills locally as far as possible, regionally where needed, and globally for the rarest of expertise.

For the supply of goods and services, preference is given to suppliers including consultants

LESOTHO HIGHLANDS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ENERGY & UTILITIES

Cost-effective and energy efficient solutions

Tell us your story and we’ll tell the world

www.africaoutlookmag.com/work-with-us

As demonstrated in the completion of the LHWP phase two, Plantech provides our clients with a detailed and systematic multidisciplinary engineering service from design to completion, which strives to achieve modern, practical, and economical engineering designs and solutions.

We achieve our goals through utilising the latest computerised modelling techniques and various software packages to unlock the full potential of each project. In addition, our project and contract management are based on a risk management approach which aims to identify and resolve challenges in advance.

Our vibrant engineering team combines the correct mix of youth and experience to ensure we always have fresh ideas, brought to the review table with the required oversight and in strict accordance with national and international standards.

As part of the PlantechSM JV we were responsible for the full professional electrical engineering services for the following works: •

NEW 132 KV TRANSMISSION LINES AND ASSOCIATED UPGRADING.

•

REPOSITIONING AND EXTENSION OF EXISTING 33KV DISTRIBUTION LINES.

•

CONSTRUCTION OF HV AND MV SUBSTATIONS.

•

INSTALLATION OF BULK TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE.

Contact Details Tel. : +27 12 349 2253 Email : plantech@plantech.co.za www.plantech.co.za

Africa Outlook Issue 104 | 19

LESOTHO HIGHLANDS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ENERGY & UTILITIES

and contractors in Lesotho, SA, SADC member states, and then internationally in that order, provided that the procurement process fosters competitiveness, transparency, costeffectiveness, and quality.

IN THE PIPELINE As the company looks towards 2024, LHDA is developing the Polihali Tunnel and Dam as phase two continues. The primary goal for the Polihali Tunnel is to have the drill and blast tunnels completed to receive tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that can help achieve critical priorities and milestones, which include having the gate shaft ready for the first impoundment of the Polihali Dam. For the dam, the focus in the coming months is to complete the construction of the upstream cofferdam to prevent flooding in the main dam works area. Furthermore,

the largest of three main bridges, the Senqu River Bridge, is required to be operational by 2026, as the scheduled initial impoundment of the dam will flood the existing Senqu Bridge as well as the base of several low piers.

Projects aside, LHDA will continue to provide support to the Ministry of Health, especially facilities near the project area, to augment a health management information system and improve the provision of healthcare services.

Moreover, the implementation of the livelihood restoration programme will lead to community-based tourism initiatives that will raise awareness of the surrounding area during phase two, including its natural environment and sustainable economic benefits.

“This will facilitate the training of community tour guides to equip them with the relevant skills and knowledge to guide tourists around natural

areas and historic buildings, as well as interpret the cultural and natural heritage to generate opportunities for alternative livelihoods and income generation,” expands Tente.

This illustrates how LHWP expertly navigates a balance between efficient hydropower production to meet supply and demand, develop and manage large-scale bulk water infrastructure, and ensure that the local community and natural environment remain unharmed.

LESOTHO HIGHLANDS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Tel: +(266) 22246000 / 22311280 lhwp@lhda.org.ls lhda.org.ls Africa Outlook Issue 104 | 21

LESOTHO HIGHLANDS WATER PROJECT Tel: +(266)22246000 / 22311280 email: lhwp@lhda.org.ls lhda.org.ls

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