Africa-Press – Lesotho. For so many years, we were enslaved by poverty, hunger and past political decisions that took us further into the wilderness. We remain poor even though we have been blessed with many natural resources which could see our country flourish.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane said this when officially opening the Water and Hydrogen Conference and Expo at the Manthabiseng Convention Centre in Maseru. Mr. Matekane said, with the use of natural resources, the government of Lesotho now stands at the door of prosperity.
He said water, hydrogen, oxygen, mountains, valleys, hills, diamonds, landscapes and the people of this magnificent kingdom have always been there and yet Basotho remained poor, underdeveloped and a beggar nation for many painful years.
Despite the many challenges they have, he is convinced that the people of this beautiful country are ready for change. He said as the country they have taken stock of who they are and what nature has given them, saying they stand ready to change the status quo.
Moreover, he said Lesotho has innovative and creative people and and that this country is indeed blessed, noting that it is these blessings of people and the wealth found underground, above ground, in the waters, minerals and in the creative imaginations of their people they seek to unlock now.
“Today, I stand here before you, the people of our country and the world to declare to the world that Lesotho will never be the same again,” he said.
He said they are having this conference to start the process of consultation, dialogue and discussion, noting that since he launched this conference on the 15 July 2023, Basotho are now talking in many instances about their water which is good and important that these conversations are raging and heated in some instances.
The Prime Minister said the region is grappling with new challenges of water scarcity, electricity crisis, and economic and societal issues, noting that these challenges know no borders they affect them.
He said a new call to action has emerged one that recognizes Lesotho’s vital role as a partner in addressing the pressing challenges in their region, saying Lesotho is tasked by regional demand with developing cutting-edge technologies around our water endowment to benefit not only Lesotho but also the region and their neighbours.
“Our historical legacy of solidarity and support once demonstrated through political alliances, is now being harnessed to address the economic challenges of our time.
Lesotho stands steadfast in its commitment to a brighter, more prosperous future for all, where justice, economic growth, equality, and unity remain our guiding principles,” Mr. Matekane said.
He further said the country’s abundant water resources have the potential to provide sustainable solutions to the water challenges facing South Africa as well as the region, adding that Lesotho stands ready to collaborate in the management and equitable distribution of this precious resource, knowing that water knows no political boundaries.
He said the electricity crisis in South Africa and the region resonates deeply with them, as they understand the vital importance of reliable energy sources for economic and social development, noting that Lesotho is poised to contribute to the solution, harnessing our renewable energy potential to support the region’s energy needs.
Furthermore, he said the commitment to the hydrogen economy, a technology that holds the promise of clean and sustainable energy, aligns with South Africa’s vision for a brighter future, Lesotho is eager to collaborate in the development of a hydrogen economy that can benefit both our nations and the wider region.
“let us never forget our history, the sacrifices made by those who fought for liberation, and the lessons learned from our shared past. As we confront new challenges, let us continue to be guided by the principles of compassion, solidarity, and unity,’’ he said.
In conclusion, he said Lesotho stands ready, shoulder to shoulder with all African countries, to overcome the hurdles that lie before them and together they shall prevail, just as they did in the pursuit of justice and freedom, noting that may their partnership pave the way to a brighter, more prosperous future for all their people. Also speaking, the Minister of Natural Resource, Mr.
Mohlomi Moleko said the conference aims to develop the nation’s strategy that will position Lesotho as the world’s first sustainable digital hydro nation by addressing four themes emanating from the vision namely: Water, Hydrogen and Digitization for Life as this is to promote access to these essential elements for life by all the citizens of Lesotho in the shortest possible timeframe.
Mr. Moleko said despite Lesotho being known globally for its abundant water resources, many Basotho to this day remain without access to potable water and sanitation.
Access to safe drinking water and sanitation are internationally recognized human rights, derived from the right to an adequate standard of living under Article 11(1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
He said through the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), Lesotho has played a significant role in the development of South Africa and the continent, saying the LHWP provides water security to the Gauteng Province of South Africa.
He said by supplying water to Gauteng, we are contributing to the broader economic development of our region and the continent, adding that Phase II of LHWP will further boost the benefits by providing secure and sustainable water for not only the Gauteng Province but also the provinces of Free State, Mpumalanga, North West and Northern Cape Provinces, with a combined population of over 26 million, representing 60% of South Africa’s economy.
All this, from a tiny nation of approximately 2.5 million people! “My highlighting the benefits of LHWP is not about boasting or being brash about the importance of Lesotho to South Africa, but serves to underscore how the project fits to deepen regional integration and promote industrialisation in South Africa,” he said.
Mr. Moleko mentioned that the transfrontier water project in the pipeline is the Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer, saying the project aims to transfer water from Lesotho to Botswana across South Africa, to meet local water needs and water supply demands in Botswana and enroute parts of South Africa.
He said It involves the construction of a multi-purpose dam along the Makhaleng River and a transfer system from Lesotho to Botswana. Moreover, he said these two water projects highlight the importance of Lesotho’s precious water resources for not only the country of Lesotho but the region as a whole.
It is therefore imperative that this resource is preserved for the sustainable development of Lesotho and the region. He added that the conference should act as a catalyst for attracting research and investment in green hydrogen production in our country.
“Through robust debates and lessons from experts here, I am confident that a road map and concrete ideas will result from this conference on how to transform Lesotho from a least developed country into the world’s first sustainable digital hydro nation for the benefit of all Basotho,” he said.
Mr. Frazer Macleod from Nexus Water said the way they think about water today was framed over 100 years ago and in broad terms, the fundamentals of legislation and policy are similar the world over and have changed little since. Mr.
Macleod said despite significant technological advances, we are still living in what he like to call the “paper age” of water, saying the paper age of water is characterised by processes originally conceived at a time when paper was the most advanced technology available.
“These processes were essentially manual, backed up by central authority, record-keeping, and regulation,” he said.
He said if the country can take this step, a digital hydro nation will be more inclusive, burdens and responsibilities will be shared, governance and accountability will be improved, and the trust deficit of today will be removed.
He added that this in turn provides a basis that will attract investment, as money flows will be managed alongside water flows, providing a clear line of sight to investment impact, the potential for new ways to securitise loans, and ultimately to drive operational excellence through performance-driven smart contracts that manage investment flows based on results.
Mr. Macleod said to turn the vision of a digital hydro nation into reality, the country needs to reframe the way we think about water. The two-day Water and Hydrogen Conference and Expo which attracted many Basotho and international community ends on Friday.
For More News And Analysis About Lesotho Follow Africa-Press
