Ha-Mokhele Rothe Community Celebrates Electrification Handed Over by Prime Minister Matekane

On Friday, December 19, the community of Ha-Mokhele Rothe gathered at the local football ground to witness the handover of a major electrification project by Prime Minister Mr. Ntsokoane Matekane. The ceremony was attended by cabinet ministers, senior government officials, and Members of Parliament. The project, financially supported by the World Bank with M50 million, is set to benefit approximately 1,447 households.

Prime Minister Matekane said providing electricity to the Rothe community fulfills a key promise made to Basotho. He emphasized that the government will continue electrification initiatives until every household in Lesotho has access to electricity. He also thanked neighboring communities, including Liqoabing and Ts’oeneng Rothe, for their participation and noted ongoing projects in Qacha’s Nek and Mokhotlong to expand electricity access further. The Prime Minister added that achieving nationwide electrification by 2030 will require combined funding from the government and development partners. He urged residents to protect electricity infrastructure, warning that vandalism wastes public funds and undermines development.

World Bank Representative Ms. Dinara Djoldosheva described the project as a significant milestone for both Rothe and Lesotho. She highlighted that, while roughly half of Basotho have access to electricity, rural areas remain underserved. She noted that the Rothe electrification aligns with national priorities for community development and reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Lesotho’s energy initiatives.

Principal Chief, Chieftainess Nthupi Bereng, praised the government for bringing electricity to the area, calling it an honor and privilege for the community. Member of Parliament Mr. Lebohang Phohleli expressed gratitude for the project, noting that only a few villages remain without electricity. He also highlighted the lack of a safe bridge, forcing children to cross a river to attend school.

Lesotho’s electricity sector relies heavily on the Muela Hydropower Station but struggles to meet national demand, resulting in significant electricity imports from South Africa, particularly during peak periods. Only about 50 percent of the population has access to electricity, with rural areas far behind. To address this, the government and development partners are investing in renewable energy, including solar, wind, and hydropower projects through the Lesotho Electricity Generation Company (LEGCO) and initiatives like OnePower. These projects aim to increase local generation, expand rural access via mini-grids, reduce import dependency, and enhance energy security, with potential for future exports.

Ha-Mokhele Rothe, located approximately 45 kilometers south of Maseru, now joins other communities in Lesotho benefiting from improved electricity access, marking a major step toward inclusive national development.