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On Wednesday 13 November 2019, Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, and her counterpart from the Kingdom of Lesotho Hon. Minister Samonyane Ntsekele were in the area of Mokhotlong, Lesotho. Their visit was for the sod turning in preparation for Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

The ceremony was attended by a representative of the local chief, the RSA High Commissioner to Lesotho, members of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, the Lesotho Highlands Water Commission, members of Parliament from Lesotho, members of the water departments of both Lesotho and RSA, as well as the local community.

Both Ministers emphasised the importance of the project and how it continues to cement the very solid relations between the people and governments of both countries. The developmental imperatives and deliverables emanating from the continued success of the project cannot be downplayed.

Minister Ntsekele of Lesotho emphasised the huge benefits, infrastructure development and hydro-electricity generation in the main, accruing to Lesotho, as well as monetary benefits through royalties.

For Minister Sisulu, the security of Water supply for the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), including benefits for the Free State, Mpumalanga and North West is important.

Speaking in perfect Sesotho, Minister Sisulu was emphatic that: "even in the face of Climate Change challenges, droughts and uncertainty of weather patterns, the two countries will continue to cooperate for the good of both peoples that we serve.

"We shall continue to endeavour to ensure that this critical project attains all its ideals", Minister Sisulu said.

The presence of the Ministers was appreciated by those in attendance and it showed the commitment of both governments to ensure the success of the project.

In conclusion, Minister Sisulu reiterated her intentions to communicate the government’s interventions with regards to security of water supply and responses to the drought on Monday, 18 November. Details on this matter will be communicated soon.

Issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation