Lesotho Highlands Water Project Engagements Strengthen Community Impact Across Katse, ‘Muela and Polihali

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority continued its structured stakeholder engagements at the Katse Operations Branch following recent sessions held at ‘Muela and Polihali. The discussions form part of an ongoing effort to strengthen communication between project management and communities affected by large scale water infrastructure development. The focus remains on ensuring that development linked to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project delivers measurable benefits to local people while maintaining transparency. Communities and officials reviewed progress on commitments made in previous engagements and assessed how those commitments are being implemented on the ground. The process reflects a growing emphasis on accountability and people centred development in national infrastructure programmes.

At the centre of the Katse discussions was the direct community impact of operations around Katse Dam. The team reported that water supply systems linked to the project now serve 107 villages, improving access to a critical resource for households and local livelihoods. Employment opportunities for unskilled labour were also highlighted, alongside structured skills training programmes designed to build long term capacity in surrounding communities. Road maintenance around the dam area continues to support safer and more reliable transport links for residents and service providers. Livelihood projects and environmental conservation programmes were also presented as key pillars of the project’s community development approach. These combined interventions are intended to ensure that infrastructure development delivers benefits beyond water transfer operations.

Stakeholders were also updated on issues that had been raised during last year’s engagements, with the project team providing detailed responses on progress and implementation timelines. The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority emphasized that each concern raised by communities is tracked and addressed through structured reporting mechanisms. This approach is intended to strengthen trust and improve the quality of engagement between the authority and affected communities. The team reiterated its commitment to accountability by sharing updates on unresolved matters and outlining steps being taken to address them. Community members were given space to raise new concerns and receive clarification on ongoing programmes. This interactive process is designed to ensure that development remains responsive to local needs.

Attention is now shifting to upcoming engagements with the Matsoku and Lejone communities, where similar discussions will continue in the same structured format. These sessions are expected to maintain momentum in strengthening communication between project authorities and local stakeholders. The broader engagement cycle, which has already included ‘Muela, Polihali and Katse, is building a consistent platform for dialogue across the project area. Each engagement contributes to a growing record of community feedback and institutional response, reinforcing a culture of participation. The process is also helping to align local expectations with project delivery timelines and operational realities. This ongoing dialogue reflects a long term commitment to inclusive development across all affected regions.

Each engagement, from ‘Muela to Polihali and now Katse, is contributing toward preparations for the main 2026 National Stakeholder Conference scheduled for October. The conference will mark 40 years of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and bring together communities, government stakeholders and implementing partners. It is expected to serve as a milestone moment for reflecting on progress, challenges and future priorities within the programme. The continuous engagement process leading up to the conference is intended to ensure that community voices are fully represented in national discussions. Through this sustained approach, the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority aims to reinforce accountability while deepening its commitment to people centred development across Lesotho.