Maseru: 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. Signed in Maseru, Lesotho, the agreement outlines joint efforts for the proposed construction of two weirs on the river, aiming to ensure efficient management and sustainable development of water resources.

According to South African Government News Agency, the MoU was signed by South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, and Lesotho’s Minister of Natural Resources, Mohlomi Moleko. The signing took place during the 2nd Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC), co-chaired by Lesotho’s Prime Minister, Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The framework allows the Lesotho Government to access the South African side of the river to construct the weirs under its Market Driven Irrigated Horticulture (MDIH) Project. This initiative is aimed at developing irrigation infrastructure on identified sites along the Mohokare River, which begins in the Maloti Mountains of northern Lesotho and flows southwest, forming a large part of Lesotho’s north-western border with South Africa.

After leaving Lesotho, the river becomes the Caledon, continuing through South Africa’s Free State province, and serves as a tributary to the Orange River. The Department of Water and Sanitation emphasized that the construction of weirs will span the river to South Africa, facilitating year-round irrigation for Lesotho, even during dry seasons.

The Lesotho MDIH schemes require approximately 6.35 million cubic metres per annum (m3/a) of additional water, which could rise to 9.79 million m3/a in dry years, covering 1,580 hectares in the simulated schemes. For South Africa, the abstraction weirs will help reduce sedimentation in the Caledon River and will be used for water quantity measurement and flood tracing.

The BNC aims to foster strong political and bilateral relations, deepen economic cooperation, and review the implementation of previous session outcomes. The commission expressed satisfaction with existing cooperation in water and energy, highlighting the significance of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) as a sustainable water source and economic catalyst for both countries.

The BNC also welcomed Phase II of the LHWP, emphasizing the importance of its timely completion within allocated resources.