President Cyril Ramaphosa will join King Letsie III and Prime Minister Samuel Matekane of Lesotho on Wednesday to officially open the Senqu Bridge in , marking a major milestone in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

The 825-metre bridge, which stands 90 metres high, was constructed at a cost of approximately R2.4 billion and is the largest of three bridges being built to span the Polihali Reservoir.

The structure replaces an existing bridge that will be submerged once the Polihali Dam is filled. It will ensure continued access to Mokhotlong, Sani Pass and surrounding areas.

The Senqu Bridge forms part of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, a binational infrastructure initiative established under the 1986 treaty between South Africa and Lesotho. A Phase II agreement was concluded in 2011.

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The project will increase water transfer volumes from 780 million to 1.27 billion cubic metres per annum whilst boosting Lesotho’s hydropower output. The additional electricity generation is intended to advance the kingdom’s energy security and reduce import dependence.

The infrastructure will facilitate the transfer of water to South Africa and support potable water provision, irrigation, fisheries and tourism development in Lesotho.

Two days before the official opening, on 20 April, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina and her Lesotho counterpart, Natural Resources Minister Mohlomi Moleko, will unveil a tunnel boring machine. The equipment will drill a 38 km tunnel connecting the Polihali and Katse reservoirs.

Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Majodina, Deputy Water and Sanitation Minister David Mahlobo and Deputy International Relations and Cooperation Minister Alvin Botes.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 11:00 on the bridge.

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