It is with outmost pleasure that we welcome

you to this edition of Water Waves. A lot has

transpired since our April issue. During this

period, we have had the pleasure of welcom-

ing the Honorable Minister of Water Affairs,

Hon. Ralechate ‘Mokose at our Field

Operation Branches. We have also welcomed

the Cabinet Sub-committee on LHWP. These

visits are significant in that they highlight the

commitment of the Lesotho Government to

the successful implementation of the Project.

We bring you this issue at a time when Phase

II has started in earnest with the award of

several contracts. This award of contracts

does not only nudge us towards a full swing of

the construction phase but also means

economic boom for the locals. We have also

internally signed off on the LHDA code of

conduct another indicator of the organizational

drive towards a High Performance

Organization.

Phase II of the project is an important mile-

stone in Lesotho’s economic growth and infra-

structure development and an opportunity that

brings about a fair amount of job opportuni-

ties.

Talking of High Performance in the LHDA the

COO Mr Doctor Lukhele backed ably by Hu-

man Resources Branch lead the roll-out of the

LHDA Code of conduct as stipulated in Sec-

tion 13 of Human Resources Management

Manual (HRMM).

Editor’s Note I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Hon Deputy Prime

Minister visits the

LHWP

2

Management team

meets ‘Muela Staff 4

Phase II works in the

works 5

Polihali Reservoir

Demarcated 6

CE engages media

owners 7

LHDA in the media 8

Appointments and

Promotions 9

Water Waves J U N E 2 0 1 5 V O L U M E 3 I S S U E N O 1

Keeping LHDA Talking

We hope you enjoy this edition of the Water Waves. We invite you to browse through the

pages as we surf the waves that the Project is making in its stride. Definitely Phase II is now

as the saying goes ‘ Full speed ahead” and not to forget the great efforts that your organiza-

tion is doing to enhance the sustainability of social and environmental projects implemented

under the Project.

LHDA COO Mr Doctor Lukhele

P A G E 2

The Hon Deputy Prime Minister

visits the LHWP

The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister, Ntate

Mothejoa Metsing led a Cabinet Sub Committee on

LHWP on a tour of the three project sites on Monday

the 1st June 2015. The purpose of the visit was to

familiarise Cabinet Sub Committee members with

the activities of the Project and its implementation.

Upon their arrival at the Mohale Information Centre,

Cabinet Ministers were given welcoming remarks by

Mr Tsiu Khathibe on behalf of the Commission. Mr

Khathibe expressed profound pleasure and honour

in welcoming the sub-committee especially when

the Project is at the early stages of implementing

Phase II of the LHWP. The Sub-Committee is consti-

tuted of cabinet Ministers from eleven key govern-

ment ministries.

In introducing the honourable members of the Cabi-

net subcommittee to the LHWP management, The

Honorable Minister of Water Affairs, Ntate

Ralechate Mokose provided a brief expose on the

relevance of the Ministries represented in the Sub-

committee. The Hon Minister expressed his desire

and that of the government to see the maximization

of job and business opportunities for locals during

the construction and implementation of the LHWP.

W A T E R W A V E S

The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the LHWP on a Tour of the LHWP

Sites; From Left – Hon Joshua Setipa (Trade); Hon Lekhetho Rakuoane (Home Affairs) ; Hon Tlohang

Sekhamane ( Foreign Affairs); Hon Ralechate ‘Mokose (Water); Hon Deputy Prime Minister Mothejoa Metsing

( Chairman of the Sub-Committee) ; Hon Lebohang Thotanyane (Mining); Hon Mokoto Hloaele (Planning);

Hon Monyane Moleleki ( Police) and Hon Selibe Mochoboroane (Energy).

Continued to page 3

The Hon Deputy Prime Minister

visits the LHWP ( Cont…)

Mr Masilo Phakoe, the Public Relations Manager

gave a presentation on the project overview. This

covered Phase I up to its completion and the sched-

ule of Phase II including the major contracts that are

going to be implemented under this Phase.

This presentation was followed by question and an-

swer session covering a wide range of issues on pro-

curement, sustainability, local participation, eco-

nomic spin-offs etc.

The Chief Executive, Mrs. Refiloe Tlali assisted by the

Divisional Manager, Phase II Mr. Tente Tente high-

lighted the lessons learned during implementation of

Phase 1 and how those lessons have been incorpo-

rated into the arrangements for implementation of

Phase II. In response to questions regarding the pro-

curement of goods and services under the Project,

Mr. Tente highlighted the provisions of the Procure-

ment Policy as outlined in Article 10 of the Phase II

Agreement.

Mr Tente explained what is being done to respond

to the Policy provision that stipulates that the share

of the value of all infrastructure works shall be

shared on an equal monetary basis between consult-

ants and contractors registered in Lesotho and those

registered in South Africa Africa..

The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and his en-

tourage then proceeded to the Polihali Dam site at

Mokhotlong. The Polihali Branch Manager, Mr

Gerard Mokone made a short presentation

indicating the layout of the Project area. He also

gave highlights on the on-going consultations on

Project related matters with the Mokhotlong

communities .

As the last leg of the day’s tour, the Honourable

Deputy Prime Minister and his entourage flew to

Katse where Mr. Makholela Mathaba made a short

presentation about the structure of the Katse Dam

and its operations and maintenance.

LHWC Delegate Mr Ts’iu Khathibe explains to the Honourable Deputy

Prime Minister the significant inroads that the Lesotho Highlands Water

Project has made

P A G E 3

P A G E 4

LHDA Management meets the

‘Muela Branch staff

As part of the reaching out to and interacting with

staff, LHDA Management have introduced a system of

rotating venues for the monthly management

meetings. Back to back with the Management

meetings, the Management holds meetings with the

staff at the FOB sites. The purpose of these meetings

is to update the staff on latest developments. This is

followed by a questions and answer session where

staff’s concerns and issues are addressed.

Following the management meeting held at Likileng

lodge on the 8th June, the Management met the

Muela Branch staff on Tuesday the 9th June at the

hydropower station. The power point presentations

deliverd by Management were on on-going work un-

der all the Divisions of LHDA and the Muela Branch

delivered a comprehensive power point presentation

covering on-going work.

In her address the CE lauded the ‘Muela staff for their

dedication to their work. She also gave the staff a

“pat on the shoulder” in recognition of their noble act

of philanthropy after recently donating food parcels

to three vulnerable families in different villages in

Botha Bothe. “You have really demonstrated what

caring is all about and you have, of course, set an

example for this Organization,” Mrs Tlali said.

The Chief Executive and Management’s tour was part

of the Organization’s initiative to foster closer work-

ing relationship between the management and staff.

The staff was given a chance to ask questions which

were responded to in the meeting. The ‘Muela staff

also contributed several suggestions on how opera-

tions can be improved.

W A T E R W A V E S

LHDA CE Mrs Refiloe Tlali

Staff listens attentively to the CE

‘Muela Branch staff

P A G E 5

Phase II works in the works

“The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA)

has recently appointed three consultants on Phase II of

the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, a significant step

for the project and another step towards strengthen-

ing the economy of Lesotho,” says Mrs Refiloe Tlali, CE

of the LHDA.

The three awards, collectively worth slightly more than

M40 million, form part of the advance infrastructure

works for the multi-billion Maloti, bi-national project of

the governments of Lesotho and South Africa. The

awards are for (i) a contract for the design and supervi-

sion of the construction of the Polihali North East ac-

cess road, (ii) a contract for the supervision of ge-

otechnical investigations for the Polihali dam and the

Polihali-Katse water transfer tunnel, and (iii) a contract

for the demarcation of the Polihali reservoir.

Contract 3014, the Polihali North East Access Road

(PNEAR) contract is for the upgrade of the existing road

to a gravel road suitable to facilitate the safe move-

ment of construction vehicles during the mobilization

of machinery and facilities for other advance infra-

structure contractors (mainly the housing contractor

who will require unhindered access to the Polihali dam

site. The 17 km road runs from Mapholaneng to the

dam site. The SMEC-FMA Joint Venture, a joint venture

between the Bloemfontein office of the international

engineering consultancy, SMEC, and the Lesotho-based

civil and structural engineers, FM Associates (Pty) Ltd,

is the appointed consultant.

Jeffares & Green (Pty) Ltd ( RSA) in association with

GWC Consulting Engineers (Lesotho) has been ap-

pointed to undertake the supervision of the geotech-

nical investigations for the Polihali dam and the Polihali

-Katse water transfer tunnel- Contract 3015.

The geotechnical investigations will involve extraction

of rock and soil for testing purposes in order to provide

comprehensive data to the dam and tunnel design con-

sultants. The investigations will also identify the suita-

bility, quality and quantity of construction material

found at all investigated quarries.

The demarcation of the Polihali Reservoir contract,

Contract 3017, was won by a Maseru-based company,

the Maleka, Ntshihlele, Putsoa Joint Venture. Reservoir

demarcation entails surveying and constructing bea-

cons around the perimeter of the Polihali reservoir at a

level five metres higher than the full supply level. Res-

ervoir demarcation is critical for the acquisition of land,

the resettlement and compensation of people in the

district whose homes and livelihoods will be affected

by the construction of the dam. It is also essential for

the planning of the Phase II activities.

The procurement of consultants for the design of the

Phase II advance infrastructure works which comprises

roads, camps, reservoir demarcation, geotechnical

studies, power lines and telecommunication systems,

is currently in progress and will continue for the re-

mainder of the year. The implementation of environ-

mental and social mitigation measures will commence

shortly in advance of the main access roads, the dam

and tunnel contracts.

W A T E R W A V E S

P A G E 6

Polihali reservoir demarcated

The Maleka, Nts’ihlele Putsoa Joint Venture has been

awarded the contract for the demarcation of the

Polihali reservoir by the Lesotho Highlands Develop-

ment Authority (LHDA). Announcing the award, the

LHDA Chief Executive, Mrs Refiloe Tlali said this is an

important tangible step in the implementation of

Phase II of the Project.

Work on the M8 million reservoir demarcation

contract commenced in May 2015 and is expected to

be complete in 12 months. This is a critical project

which has to be completed in advance of the construc-

tion of the Polihali Dam and water transfer tunnel,

both of which constitute the main works of the Phase II

of the LHWP.

Speaking on behalf of the Maleka, Ntshihlele, Putsoa

Joint Venture, Mr Martin Nts’ihlele said, “We are

proud to be part of this most important project in Le-

sotho and one of the most significant infrastructure

development projects in the Southern African region.”

Mr Nts’ihlele further mentioned that their appoint-

ment is testament to the strength of their team, their

methodology and their experience which includes the

reservoir demarcation for Katse, Mohale and ‘Muela in

Phase I of the LHWP. ‘We have a long history with the

Lesotho Highlands Water Project” Nts’ihlele added.

Commenting on employment opportunities, Mr

Nts’ihlele said the contract will also benefit the local

community, highlighting that all the support personnel,

including construction supervisors, community liaison

officers and labourers will be sourced from Lesotho.

Mr Nts’ihlele concluded by acknowledging that the

contract is expected to make a significant contribution

into his company’s earnings.

The demarcation of the reservoir entails surveying the

approximately 250km perimeter of the Polihali reser-

voir at 2, 080m above sea level. This level allows a safe

margin above the full supply level of the reservoir. The

demarcation of the reservoir area is critical for the ac-

quisition of land, resettlement and compensation of

people in the catchment area whose homes and liveli-

hoods will be affected by the construction of the dam.

It is also essential for the planning of the Phase II

activities.

W A T E R W A V E S

Parts of the area currently being demarcated

at the Polihali dam site

P A G E 7

The Chief Executive engages the

media Owners

The Chief Executive of Lesotho Highlands Development

Authority (LHDA), Mrs Refiloe Tlali and her manage-

ment team, met Lesotho’s media owners at an event

meant to foster better relations and to provide a

platform for engagement between the Project and the

media sector.

The Chief Executive together with her senior

management explained the mandate of LHWP to the

media owners and then comprehensively narrated the

benefits of the project for Basotho during and after

implementation of Phase I of the Project.

Mrs Tlali explained that South Africa is wholly financing

the water transfer component of the Project,

comprising, mainly, of the building of the dams and the

tunnels, while Lesotho is in charge of sourcing funding

for the hydropower component implementation.

Also present at this first of its kind of stakeholder

engagement forums were the Chief Operations Officer

Mr Doctor Lukhele, the Divisional Manager, Develop-

ment and Operations, Mr Reentseng Molapo, the

Divisional Manager Phase II Mr. Tente Tente, the

Divisional Manager Social Development and

Environment Mr Mahase Thokoa and the Public

Relations Manager Mr Masilo Phakoe and his team.

A similar briefing for the RSA Media is scheduled for

September 2015.

W A T E R W A V E S

LHDA CE flanked by some members

of EXCO, the Executive Team

Above: Mr Motlatsi Majara of 357 fm pushed for content aimed at youth. Below: Mr Basildon Peta of Lesotho Times makes a point.

Polihali tender raises stink

Pascalinah Kabi and Kananelo Boloetse

Public Eye Tuesday 7 April 2015

MASERU – A local company, Elite Consulting Engineers

(Pty) Ltd, has taken the Lesotho Highlands Water Project

(LHWP) to task on charges of flouting procurement regula-

tions in the awarding of the Polihali North East Access Road

(PNEAR) tender, Public Eye can reveal.

LHDA in the media………... Ending on high note

Water project tender row rages on

Public Eye ; Friday 10 April 2015

Local firm threatens to take LHDA to court—Report by

Kananelo Boloetse; – The Lesotho Highlands Develop-

ment Authority (LHDA) yesterday said there was lack of

understanding of the procurement process regarding

the Polihali North East Access Road (PNEAR) tender.

Mega water project in full flow

Lesotho Times April 23, 2015

…Lesotho Highlands Development Authority Chief Execu-

tive Officer, Refiloe Tlali, says Phase II of the Lesotho

Highlands Water Project is well underway. The Lesotho

Highlands Development Authority (LHDA)—the imple-

menting agency of the multiphase bi-national Lesotho

Highlands Water Project (LHWP)—is one of the country’s

most pivotal organizations whose performance is key to

the kingdom’s economic development.

Consortium wins M8m Polihali contract

Sunday Express; 10 May, 2015

Rethabile Pitso -The Lesotho Highlands Develop-

ment Authority (LHDA) has awarded Maleka,

Ntsihlele, Putsoa Joint Venture (MNPJV) an M8

million contract for the demarcation of the Polihali

reservoir— a crucial part of Phase II of the Lesotho

Highlands Water Project (LHWP).

LHWP project in full flow

Lesotho Times May 28, 2015

Staff Reporters- BARRING any unforeseen challeng-

es, the construction of the multi-billion maloti se-

cond phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project

(LHWP) is on course for completion by 2024 to aug-

ment water supplies into South Africa while

boosting electricity generation for Lesotho.

Contractors appointed for LHWP Phase II work packages Engineering News; 28 May 2015;

Megan Van Wyngaardt

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority

(LHDA) has appointed three consultants for work

packages as part of Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands

Water Project (LHWP).

P A G E 8

Baikopanyi ba fuoa mosebetsi Polihali

Mosotho; Mantaha oa Motseanong 4, 2015

Ka Lerato Buthelezi le Zanele Hlongoane

Mosotho e phatlalatsa hore Ofisi ea Morero oa Metsi a

Lihlaba tsa Lesotho e abile konteraka ho setlamo (JV) sa

benghali Maleka, Ntsihlele le Putsoa.

P A G E 9

W A T E R W A V E S

Promotions - July 2015….. Congratulations Team !!!!

Name Previous position Promoted to Branch

Mpho Keta Assistant Biologist Terrestrial Community Participation Officer Katse

Sentle Mojela Dam Safety Surveyor Senior Dam Safety Supervisor Mohale

New Appointments…… Congratulations and Welcome to the Family…..!!!!

Mr Koali Hlasoa has been confirmed into the position of Public Relations Officer– Polihali Branch,

effective June 2015.

Mr Tumane Lebajoa, has climbed aboard the LHDA ship in July as the Community Participation

Officer based at Katse

Mr Moeketsi Chefa, also makes his mark in July as he joins the family of LHDA as the Assistant

Compensation Officer based at Polihali.

Mrs ‘Mathabo Mofoka has enriched the workplace in joining the family too as the Office Assistant

based in the Finance Branch.

To all…… a very warm welcome !!! We will see you around…. You have all

come to the right place… LHDA is a great place to work for.