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South African Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina has arrived in Lesotho for a three-day working visit focused on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2 (LHWP2). The visit, which began on Friday, 11 September 2026, includes a quarterly oversight of the project’s progress and the official unveiling of new infrastructure.
Minister Majodina and Lesotho Minister of Natural Resources Mohlomi Moleko are scheduled to inaugurate the Mabunyaneng and Khubelu bridges in the Mokhotlong District. These structures are part of the restoration infrastructure for LHWP2 and are designed to ensure continuous access for local communities once the future Polihali Dam reservoir is impounded and submerges existing low-lying crossings.
The Khubelu Bridge features a 270-metre curved deck with nine 30-metre spans, supported by eight piers and two abutments. It stands approximately 25 metres above the valley floor. The Mabunyaneng Bridge spans 120 metres and consists of four 30-metre spans supported by three piers, standing approximately 12 metres above the valley floor. According to Department of Water and Sanitation spokesperson Wisane Mavasa, these bridges, alongside the recently completed 90-metre-high Senqu Bridge, will provide reliable, year-round connectivity on the A1 Road between Mokhotlong and Maseru.
The LHWP2 is a collaborative effort between the governments of South Africa and Lesotho. The project aims to increase water supply by 490 million cubic metres per annum to enhance water security for South Africa’s Gauteng province.
Following the bridge unveiling, Minister Majodina is scheduled to conduct an oversight visit of the Polihali Dam construction site. Her itinerary for Saturday includes an inspection of the Polihali-Katse Water Transfer Tunnel and visits to resettlement sites for communities displaced by the project. The visit will conclude with a bilateral meeting between the two ministers. Minister Majodina is accompanied by a delegation from the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Deputy Minister for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency, Seiso Mohai.
Article source: allafrica.com | Image credit: SA-Lesotho Officials Inspect Progress on Phase-2 of Lesoth…
