From Khokhoba to Katse Operations: Kamohelo Ndaba Steps Into a New Professional Chapter

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) is marking 40 years of transforming lives, supporting development and building communities, while the Katse Operations Branch continues to invest in the people who will carry that legacy forward. The journey of young professionals into meaningful careers often begins with exposure to opportunities, develops through practical experience and grows through mentorship. For Kamohelo Ndaba, that journey has now brought her back to the community where she was born and raised. Her appointment at Katse Operations represents more than the start of a professional role, as it also reflects the value of developing local talent and creating opportunities for young Basotho to contribute to major national projects.

Kamohelo’s journey highlights how career expos can create opportunities that eventually lead to professional development. An initial encounter at a career expo can introduce young people to organisations, industries and career paths that they may not have previously considered. From there, internship experience can provide an important bridge between academic learning and the workplace. It gives young professionals an opportunity to understand professional expectations while applying the knowledge gained through their studies. With the right guidance and exposure, these early experiences can help prepare young graduates to take on greater responsibilities when permanent opportunities become available.

For Kamohelo, the opportunity has particular significance because her connection to the Katse area is deeply personal. She was born and raised in Khokhoba village, located at the front of Katse Dam, one of the defining features of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Growing up in the area has given her a direct connection to a project that has had a major presence in her community and the surrounding region. Her return to the area as a qualified professional creates a full-circle moment in which local knowledge and professional skills come together. It also demonstrates how communities connected to major development projects can become sources of talent for the institutions and operations located within them.

Kamohelo recently completed her Chartered Accounting qualification at the Centre for Accounting Studies, giving her a strong professional foundation for her new responsibilities. Chartered accounting requires a high level of technical knowledge, discipline and attention to financial management. These skills are relevant to the day-to-day administration of operations that depend on careful budgeting, payments and financial controls. At Katse Operations, she will have an opportunity to apply that knowledge in a working environment where financial decisions support the functioning of facilities and services. Her placement therefore provides a practical setting in which her academic and professional training can be developed further.

Her role at Katse Operations will require her to take on significant responsibilities while working under the guidance of experienced accounting professionals. The expectation is that she will be exposed to real operational demands rather than simply observing the work of others. At the same time, the branch recognises the importance of structured support as young professionals transition into roles that carry responsibility. Expert guidance can help Kamohelo understand the systems, procedures and requirements involved in managing finances within a large operational environment. This combination of responsibility and mentorship provides an opportunity for her to grow while contributing meaningfully to the branch.

One of the key areas within Kamohelo’s portfolio will be managing the budget for the Operations and Maintenance of the Katse Commercial Centre and Village. Budget management plays an important role in ensuring that resources are allocated responsibly and that operational requirements can be met. It requires careful monitoring of expenditure, planning and an understanding of how financial decisions affect the wider operation. By taking responsibility for this area, Kamohelo will gain direct experience in managing finances connected to the daily functioning of Katse facilities. The role will also allow her to strengthen her professional judgement as she works alongside experienced colleagues.

Her responsibilities will also include dispensing wages to ensure that teams working within the operation are properly supported. Payroll-related responsibilities require accuracy, accountability and careful attention to financial procedures because employees depend on timely and correct payments. Kamohelo will therefore be handling an area that directly affects people working across the Katse operation. This responsibility will give her practical experience in applying accounting principles to an important workplace function. It will also reinforce the connection between financial management and the people who keep the facilities and operations running.

Another important part of her portfolio will be handling receivables, which contributes to maintaining the financial health of the Katse Operations Branch. Receivables management involves keeping track of money owed and ensuring that financial transactions are properly managed. Effective handling of receivables supports cash flow and helps an organisation maintain accurate financial records. For a newly qualified Chartered Accountant, this provides valuable exposure to the financial processes that underpin an operational branch. It also gives Kamohelo an opportunity to develop practical experience in financial management beyond the theoretical knowledge gained during her studies.

Kamohelo’s appointment comes as the LHWP reflects on four decades of development and its contribution to water and energy security. The Project’s 40-year journey has involved infrastructure development as well as efforts to support communities connected to the project. Its continued operations depend not only on physical infrastructure but also on people with the skills required to manage and maintain those systems. Developing young professionals is therefore an important part of ensuring that knowledge and expertise continue to grow within the organisation. Kamohelo’s arrival at Katse Operations illustrates how investment in human capital can complement the long-term infrastructure legacy of the project.

The decision to place a young local professional in a position involving real financial responsibility also highlights the importance of creating pathways for home-grown talent. Young people from communities surrounding major projects often have an understanding of their local environment and a personal connection to the area’s development. When that local perspective is combined with specialised professional training, it can contribute to stronger institutional capacity. Mentorship then becomes important because experienced professionals can transfer practical knowledge while helping younger colleagues navigate the demands of their roles. This approach can help create a new generation of professionals who understand both the technical requirements of their work and the communities connected to it.

Kamohelo’s story also shows why the transition from education into employment requires more than obtaining a qualification. Academic achievement provides the foundation, but professional growth develops through exposure, responsibility and experience. A structured workplace can give young professionals opportunities to test their knowledge, learn from experienced colleagues and understand how decisions affect real operations. Katse Operations is providing that environment while also benefiting from the skills of a newly qualified professional. Her appointment demonstrates how deliberate grooming can support both individual career development and the long-term needs of an organisation.

As the Lesotho Highlands Water Project celebrates 40 years, the arrival of Kamohelo Ndaba at Katse Operations offers a reminder that the project’s legacy extends beyond dams, water and energy infrastructure. Its future also depends on developing people who can contribute their expertise to the continued management of its operations. Kamohelo’s journey from Khokhoba village to professional accounting and now into a role at Katse shows how opportunity and preparation can come together. With experienced professionals providing guidance, she will have the chance to grow while taking on responsibilities that directly support the Katse branch. Her story represents the kind of investment in human capital that can help ensure the LHWP’s legacy continues through the people who will shape its next chapter.