Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Polihali Dam

latest news & developments
On Wednesday, South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho launched the Senqu Bridge, an 825-metre extradosed structure spanning a deep gorge in the Mokhotlong District. (Facebook)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

A community reckoning on the Senqu Bridge launch on 22 April 2026

What the communities in Mokhotlong gave – and what the celebration will not say

  • Mosa Letsie
25 min read
Katse Dam in Lesotho is the largest of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project reservoirs, with a storage capacity of nearly 2-billion cubic metres.. (Walter Dhladlhla/Getty Images)
BASOTHO

Basotho lose out over new dam that will supply SA with more water

Few benefits will flow to the people on whose land the Polihali Dam is being built

  • Majara Molupe
3 min read
Katse Dam, part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, helps to keep Gauteng water flowing. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
ESKOM

Water-shedding will make load-shedding seem like a jol

Supplied water is too cheap. A litre bottle of water in a supermarket is R10, whereas 1 000 litres to your house costs just R50

  • Sipho Kings
4 min read
Grand dame: Esther Mahlangu
AMABHUNGANE

Challenge damns Lesotho water project

Basotho companies claim they are being prejudiced and want the high court to intervene

  • Billy Ntaote
4 min read
The second phase of the Lesotho Highlands must not repeat the mistakes of the first phase in which women were displaced and disempowered. Photo: File
CASWELL TLALI

Water deal irks Lesotho’s new rulers

South Africa has been accused of putting undue pressure on a weak government to extract an unfair deal. Caswell Tlali reports.

  • Sam Sole
7 min read