South Africa and Lesotho
By Natalie Naidoo
South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a new framework for cooperation in water resource development along the Mohokare/Caledon River. This historic agreement, signed on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, in Maseru, Lesotho, paves the way for the construction of two weirs to enhance water management and support sustainable development in both nations. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to addressing water challenges while deepening bilateral ties, a move that could set a precedent for regional cooperation in Southern Africa.
A Framework for Sustainable Water Management
The MoU was signed by South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, and Lesotho’s Minister of Natural Resources, Mohlomi Moleko, during the 2nd Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC). The BNC, co-chaired by Lesotho’s Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, convened to strengthen political and economic ties between the two countries. The agreement focuses on joint efforts to construct two weirs on the Mohokare/Caledon River, aiming to ensure efficient management and sustainable development of water resources.
The Mohokare/Caledon River, originating in the Maloti Mountains of northern Lesotho, flows southwest, forming a significant part of Lesotho’s north-western border with South Africa. After exiting Lesotho, it becomes the Caledon River, traversing the Free State province before joining the Orange River near Bethulie. The river is a vital resource for both nations, supporting communities, agriculture, and ecosystems along its 642 km (399 mi) course.
Under the MoU, the Lesotho government will access the South African side of the river to build the weirs as part of its Market Driven Irrigated Horticulture (MDIH) Project. The MDIH aims to develop irrigation infrastructure on 1,580 hectares of identified irrigable sites along the Mohokare River, ensuring year-round water availability for Lesotho’s agricultural needs, particularly during dry seasons when water levels drop.
Benefits for Both Nations
The weirs will provide substantial benefits for both Lesotho and South Africa. For Lesotho, the infrastructure will store water to support irrigation, requiring an estimated 6.35 million cubic metres per annum (m³/a) on average, with a potential increase to 9.79 million m³/a in dry years. This will bolster food security and agricultural productivity, critical for a country where over 50% of the population lives below the poverty line and arable land is scarce.
For South Africa, the weirs will address longstanding environmental concerns in the Caledon River. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) noted that the structures will help reduce sedimentation, a major issue that degrades water quality and affects infrastructure like the Welbedacht Dam, which supplies Bloemfontein. Additionally, the weirs will facilitate water quantity measurement and flood tracing, enhancing South Africa’s ability to manage water flows and respond to climate-induced challenges like flooding, which has recently impacted areas downstream of the Vaal and Bloemhof Dams.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties Through the BNC
The 2nd Session of the BNC, held in Maseru, aimed to foster strong political and bilateral relations, deepen economic cooperation, and review progress since the inaugural session two years ago. The commission expressed satisfaction with existing cooperation in water and energy, particularly through the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), a flagship initiative that has supplied water to South Africa’s Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) since its first phase was completed in 2003.
The LHWP, which transfers 780 million cubic metres of water annually from Lesotho to South Africa, also generates hydroelectricity for Lesotho, contributing to its energy self-sufficiency. Phase II of the LHWP, currently underway, will add 490 million cubic metres per year, increasing the total transfer to 1.27 billion cubic metres annually. The BNC underscored the need for its timely execution, especially given past delays due to factors like corruption scandals and the COVID-19 pandemic. The project, funded in part by a R3.2 billion loan from the New Development Bank and a US$86.72 million loan from the African Development Bank, is expected to be completed by 2028, despite earlier setbacks.
Environmental and Social Context
The Mohokare/Caledon River Basin faces significant challenges, including pollution and climate change. Studies have shown that water quality in the river, particularly downstream of Maseru, is compromised by industrial, agricultural, and settlement activities, with high levels of turbidity, phosphates, and coliforms posing risks to human health, animals, and aquatic life. The Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) has been supporting groundwater monitoring efforts, with 10 boreholes drilled in 2024 along the river to assess quality and quantity in Lesotho’s Botha-Bothe, Leribe, Berea, Maseru, and Mafeteng districts.
Climate change exacerbates these issues, with scientists predicting harsher droughts and water shortages in the region. Lesotho, despite its abundant water resources—estimated at 150 m³/s compared to a consumption of 2 m³/s—relies heavily on the Mohokare/Caledon for Maseru’s water supply, supplemented by reservoirs like Maqalika during shortages. South Africa, a semi-arid country, depends on the Caledon as a tributary to the Orange River, which supports 60% of its economy across five provinces.
The weirs project also has social implications. The Mohokare/Caledon has historically been a perilous crossing point for Basotho migrants seeking work in South Africa, often without proper documentation. During rainy seasons, the river becomes a “bottomless abyss,” claiming lives as people attempt to swim across. In early 2021, reports highlighted the tragic loss of at least seven lives in a single incident, underscoring the need for safer border policies and infrastructure. Lesotho’s Minister of Local Government, Lebona Lephema, recently urged unity across the river, stating at a February 2025 Cross Border Crime Prevention Forum in Teyateyaneng that the Mohokare “should not divide Basotho.”
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