A water-rich nation fuels South Africa’s economy, but at what cost? Displaced communities and environmental damage reveal the hidden price.
Water Crosses Borders
Can a project designed to supply water to one country and power to another also pose serious risks to people and the environment? The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) is a striking example of this contradiction.
Lesotho, a landlocked nation rich in water resources, shares a border with South Africa, a much wealthier country struggling with water shortages. This contrast led to the creation of the LHWP, a large-scale initiative to channel water from Lesotho’s highlands to South Africa’s Gauteng region while generating hydroelectric power for Lesotho.
As one of Africa’s most ambitious cross-border water projects, the LHWP stands as a model of governmental collaboration. However, its impact extends far beyond economic and engineering milestones. The first phase alone has disrupted communities, altered ecosystems, and created significant social and environmental challenges.
Infrastructure projects of this scale often bring to the fore the compromise of sustainability in the face of infrastructural development. While the technical achievements and economic potential of the LHWP are frequently emphasized, the consequences for displaced populations and fragile environments demand equal attention. The changes to highland communities and downstream areas highlight the broader implications of such initiatives across the continent.
The LHWP serves as a reminder that development is. . .
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