Speech by the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry of the Republic of South Africa

Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Ronnie Kasrils

Your Majesty King Letsie III
Honourable President Mbeki
Honourable Prime Minister Mosisili
Invited guests from both Lesotho and South Africa
Ladies and Gentlemen

"Kea le dumedisa, Basotho ba khabane, bana ba Moshoeshoe". (My greetings, our dearest Basotho the children of Moshoeshoe)

Kgotso! It is through peace that we have the possibility of taking advantage of the rain that falls and co-operating to use it for the common good so that mutual growth and prosperity may follow. This magnificent project high in the glorious Malutis represents the co-operation that we have built together as people and countries.

My President will speak on behalf of South Africa so let me merely say here that it has been a great honour and privilege to work hand in hand with my brother, my colleague the Minister of Natural Resources, Ntati Monyane Moleleki. He is a man of great tact and ability and has been devoted to this project from long before he was even a Minister. His knowledge and experience has been of profound importance. I believe that the spirit in which we, and my predecessor Professor Kader Asmal, have worked together with our devoted officials and those of the Lesotho Highland Water Project, has made this momentous milestone possible. The achievement illustrates how close we are as government and people. Not only have we worked as a winning team on this project but as a team within Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the continent through AMCOW (African Ministers Council on Water) where we have always operated on the same wavelength.

Your Majesty, Mr President and Prime Minister Mosisili

I believe that with Minister Moleleki we have established an example of a partnership that has won considerable international admiration. My brother, Ntati Moleleki, has spoken for both of us.

The Kingdom of Lesotho is the roof of the whole of Southern Africa. As inseparable as the rain is from the clouds, the mountains from the streams and the rivers from the oceans - so inseparable are our countries and people. The historic project our leaders inaugurate here today, is illustrative of our unbreakable ties.

Rea le leboha Basotho ba khabane. Re leboha tsebelisano 'moho ea rona. Re leboha kamohelo ea lona e mofuthu. Re re le ka moso!' (We thank our dearest Basotho. We thank you for your co-operation. We thank you for your warm welcome). We say let this spirit prevail in our future interaction. From the blessed rain comes the green of growth and development that creates the basis for peace, progress and harmony amongst our people.

Kgotso! Pula! Nala!