SA Deputy Minister David Mahlobo Confirms Lesotho Highlands Water Project is ‘On Track’
Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has expressed satisfaction with the maintenance work being carried out as part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
Providing an update on Friday, the Department shared progress on the ongoing repairs, which have kept the tunnel offline for a month. This maintenance, including repairs to worn-out pipes, is scheduled for completion by March 2025. The 38km tunnel is essential in transporting water from Lesotho to South Africa, supplying key provinces such as Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and North West.
Despite the temporary shutdown, Mahlobo assured the media that water supply continues to reach sectors across both countries. He highlighted the importance of cooperation between South Africa and Lesotho, noting, “As Southern Africa, we remain a water-scarce region. Many of our rivers flow between neighboring countries—whether it’s South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Zimbabwe, or Botswana.”
Mahlobo emphasized that such transboundary cooperation is vital, especially in a world where water disputes are common. He also underscored the mutual benefits of the project, pointing out that Lesotho gains clean hydropower from the project to support its own energy needs.
“The water provided by this project supports domestic, agricultural, and industrial use, benefiting communities and provinces across South Africa,” Mahlobo added. “This resource touches the lives of over 80 million people, including those in Free State, Northern Cape, and North West.”
