Allow me to express my pleasure by welcoming all of you to this historic event where we are all afforded the opportunity to be witnesses to the completion of Phase 1 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). We are at the same time officiating the Inauguration of Phase 1b, construction of Mohale Dam and Tunnel and the associated works.

The people and the Government of Lesotho are exceptionally delighted that this occasion has been graced by the presence of your Excellency, the President of the Republic of South Africa and your High Powered Delegation.

To you, Mr. President, allow me to remind you that six years ago in January, 1998, the people and the Government of Lesotho together with the people and the Government of South Africa, met to celebrate one of the strategic milestones achieved in the implementation the Highlands Project, namely, the Inauguration of the LHWP’s Water transfer Component, Phase 1A; Construction of Katse dam, Delivery and Transfer Tunnels were completed. The event happened in ‘Muela , Butha-Buthe in the north of Lesotho. The occasion was graced by esteemed Leadership of this sub-region, namely, former Presidents, Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Sir Ketumile Masire of Botswana.

In 1998, we all saw the impossible taking place when the highlands water flow was reversed and took a u-turn in its flow into South Africa’s river networks. Nevertheless, the Ash river obediently received the water and without question, for onward transfer into the Vaal river system. Thus, the objective of the LHWP had been realized. It was therefore fitting, for the Governments and peoples of the two Countries to sit back and celebrate. And celebrate, we did.

Today, the 16^th of March, the two Nations are together celebrating yet again, another important milestone of the project, the Inauguration of Phase 1B. This is a clear demonstration of the warm relations that exist between our two countries.

As we celebrate today’s event, that also marks the completion of Phase 1 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, I have no doubt in my mind, Mr President, that the next 3 other Phases will follow a similar pattern of joint celebrations of the remaining phases, over achievements realised through the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

The history of Lesotho in respect of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, should now be common knowledge to all concerned and I want to believe that information about the project has been documented and zealously preserved for future generations.

But perhaps what is most significant about the Lesotho Highlands Water Project is has laid sound basaltic foundations for peaceful co-existence and it has enabled an environment for the joint economic advancement such as you mentioned Mr. President, to ensure that Lesotho is duly assisted to make progress from economic standard of a least developed country to that of a developing country. The project has indeed served well as an international example of co-operation between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa in that regard.

Indeed, we will remember that this project was showcased at the International Expo in Hannover during June to October 2000. Two years later, in August-September 2002, it was presented at the World Summit in Johannesburg through a joint Lesotho-RSA collaboration. The project was recently, in November 2003, nominated and awarded “Project of Century” by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering. These are demonstrations and classical confirmation of a working co-operation between our peoples and Governments, and one that must be cherished for regional economic growth. We have demonstrated to the international stage that regardless of the differing economic standards, we are two neighbours that are engaged in effective communication.

I have trust that my Government and your Government, your Excellency, will continue to work tirelessly on this score, to ensure that our children can, in earnest, enjoy the gift of the numerous natural resources that both Lesotho and South Africa have. The umbilical chord that has been established through this project, must be so nurtured to ensure that our peoples can enjoy excellent management of their natural resources for overall improved living standards.

I have taken many a visits to the highlands project areas. I have witnessed how this project has added a new dimension to the physical rugged mountainous landscape in Lesotho. Where there were valleys and gorges, we now see the splendour of man-made water bodies. The valleys have acted as water receptacles and the basaltic gorges have provided the storage muscle to ensure that financial investments put into making this project what it is today, have indeed, been a very worthy undertaking. Mr. President, I want to assure you that these basaltic rocks will sure stand the test of time, such that reliably, the umbilical chord will transfer your portion of the highlands water according to planned schedules while in turn, the royalties can come into Lesotho; both deeds for sustainable economic of livelihoods in the respective countries.

I am informed by the Prime Minister, Ntate Mosisili that the water needs for communities and environmental demands downstream of the LHWP dams, have been taken good care of to ensure that they (communities and the environment) can still get their portion of the water. Importantly, I am told that studies to determine loss of resources as a result of reduced flows in the rivers, are in progress. The outcome of which will determine the extent of mitigation measures to be employed in compensation for their losses.

In keeping good the relationships between all at stake in the riparian rights of states in shared rivers, namely the peoples and Governments of the Republics of Namibia and Botswana, I have every confidence that the two Governments of South Africa and Lesotho will ensure that agreed water releases will reach the peoples of those neighbouring countries. We do not wish the Lesotho Highlands Water Project to be a source of conflicts over water, all, our water. We do read that climatological predictions are that water will become a source of international conflicts.

My Government will do all they need to do, to ensure that the Lesotho Highlands Water Project continues to retain the competitive edge through good practice in respect of integrated catchment management and related fields to maintain the highest quality of water there is in the region and in the world. This will include sound management of the environment to preserve the pristine conditions of the highlands areas.

The complimentary splendour of water and mountain and wild vegetation side by side enhances the picturesque scenery that this country has. Immediately, it calls for aggressive efforts to exploit the new situation in respect of tourism activities for the benefit of the people of the two countries. Such efforts must be heightened under the prevailing good co-operation existing between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa in advancing promotion of tourism in a joint venture but of course taking an active consideration of catchment preserve.

Seventeen years ago, before the Lesotho Highlands Water Project was implemented, I used to roam the countryside on horseback in search of better pasturelands in the highlands. These places seemed very remote from civilisation and it was hard to imagine that the trip to and back from Ha Mohale could take just under four hours.

I am therefore appealing to my fellow countrymen to take advantage of the infrastructure in place through the water project, to turn around your livelihoods. Here is an opportunity for Basotho to develop the mountain countryside to suit their own traditional lifestyles, and at the same time keeping in step with economic advancement going around world- wide. This might well be key to national challenges on land-uses in urban towns.

It is incumbent upon us, Basotho, to ensure that the infrastructure generated through implementing the project, are afforded the necessary security. The maintenance of security to structures and the people visiting these areas and other parts of Lesotho must be top priority. Their sojourn here in Lesotho might well translate into multiple opportunities for improved economic growth in our country.

I must mention that I have personally interacted with most LHWP staff, Consultants and Contractors and I am filled with gratitude and pride that the sons and daughters of this land have become esteemed professionals because of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. The influx of professional expertise in diversified disciplines and from every part of the world’s corners has left indelible dinosaur marks that must be well nurtured and put to good use. These inept skills and pool of knowledge should be fully utilised in local, national, regional and international forums. Ntate Mosisili, you now have ready manpower resources to employ in NEPAD programmes, African Union and elsewhere. The cross fertilisation of knowledge and information at national level must also be considered in undertaking other water resource schemes such as the lowlands water project.

While we celebrate the LHWP, Lesotho cannot ignore the human catastrophe that has befallen her through the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Many of the able-bodied youthful men and women are being phased out of the population. The result of this is that enormous household responsibilities are left in the hands of young children and elderly people.

If the fight against the pandemic is not sufficiently and aggressively up-scaled and dealt with, all the economic growth foundations that we are building through the LHWP, and other avenues will be to no avail. The two governments must therefore share notes and exchange information to wipe out this virus once and for all. Also they must aggressively wage war against famine and poverty to uproot and kill the wrath of the virus. But importantly it is the people themselves to opt for good moral practises in their every day living. Basotho ba heso, sechaba seso, I plead with you to please take the necessary caution. Say no more to the increased death tolls due to HIV/AIDS and related diseases. Let us try and preserve life by putting our hard earned moneys into healthy living instead of burial schemes. Ha re fetoleng maoa. E ke ebe mphelise sheleng ho feta mpate sheleng.

Ntate Pakalitha has informed me that we can expect good news from the recent Ministerial meeting held in Pretoria on 23^rd February, 2004. The two Countries have at last agreed the commencement of feasibility studies for Phase 2 of the Water Project. This will be the construction of Mashai dam on the Senqu river. As I said earlier in my speech, Mr President, I can foresee a similar congregation between our two Countries in Lesotho in 2010.

For us Basotho and my Government, this agreement signifies a continuation process for economic partnership in developing the Lesotho Highlands Waters Resources where all our people can share in a common prosperity.

I have confidence that this time around the costs for implementing Phase 2 will be much less. We have accumulated immense knowledge in undertaking projects of the LHWP’s magnitude, we have experiences that we will draw from in the implementation of Phase 2.

Inauguration of Phase 1 of LHWP

Speech by President of the Republic South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki.

Speech by the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Ronnie Karsalis.

Speech by the Minister of Natural Resources of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mr. Monyane Moleleki.

Pictures from the ceremony and more pictures from the ceremony

Speech by His Majesty, King Letsie III