Lesotho: The deal with water | Global Ideas

Lesotho is water-rich. But the southern African kingdom is one of the world's poorest countries. To fill the state coffers, the government exports water to its parched neighbor, South Africa. Not only do Lesotho's villagers suffer, so does its eco-system.
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#Lesotho #Dams #Water

[@sulaak]

It is a brilliant deal for Lesotho, they get electricity and $70 million a year to supply SA with fresh water. The problem is with Lesotho government officials that have failed to compensate the displaced people.

[@nasrinhoosen6696]

But we also don’t see that 70$ mil 🚮

[@la23s.a.22]

What 70M$? U very ignorant.

[@oo--7714]

@@nasrinhoosen6696 70 million is too small, really too small to do anything of note.

[@vivekp4854]

70 million is below market price for that water, Lesotho is effectively subsidizing South Africa's water supply - Caspian report. Don't forget the loss of agricultural land, grazing grounds for cattle due to the dams. Lesotho is left with nothing but big dams and electricity, dependent on South Africa for basic necessities like food essentially giving back the money they were given for the water.

[@nostramashego4226]

@@vivekp4854 $70mn is a lot, the problem is that the Lesotho ruling elite are highly corrupt

[@jackquinn5318]

I don't want to sound too critical, but the video doesn't really do enough investigative journalism to really give this story any legs. When or what was promised for relocation? surely there was some paper trail or at least a statement from a commercial organization. have they already received any other kind of compensation? eg. they moved the village (built them new houses) where they to the same or better standard than they were previously?

[@robertoportfolio1378]

Bro it's a oversee news channel so we should not be shocked

[@masingoanenglepasa9548]

The movement did not cover the unforeseen costs. The transition from Ha Lejone to Masianokeng has more implications than a mere brick 2 roomed electrified house. No jobs and many more. If we continue like this we are accumulating more troubles for our children. The argument is straight forward. We should stop defending the damages we created.

[@beastnation4235]

true indeed

[@keketsomega8358]

Lesotho as an independent country will never make sense to anyone even to people from Lesotho it doesn't make sense. Majority of them live with us in South Africa, they have both SA and Lesotho citizenship , they receive social grants from SA government like us and their children go to SA schools for free like us. We don't complain about that because to us they are our people, our blood relatives. We are the same community with Lesotho, we speak the same language, we are also Basotho like them, we are just one family who is divided by a boarder.

[@Msl4sho]

Please don't spread lies Keketso..... Lesotho citizens that go to SA schools come from very affluent families from Lesotho, in my opinion you have little to no knowledge at all about Basotho in Lesotho, or even the geographic feel and disappointment we feel here in Lesotho.... you are however right about us being the same people but if you knew the history of how the Free State was stolen from Lesotho you would be singing a different tune right now. I wish, we could be I the same room so we can each talk about our history, your name suggests you are a Mosotho then we could fill in some holes, the conception of the LHWP from the start was unbalanced, hence the change in government in Lesotho instigated by the apartheid regime in SA.

[@abrahamsneo7783]

As someone from Lesotho, you're 100% correct. The country depends on SA politically , socially and economically. More of our people work in SA done in their home country. We go to your schools. We're one people

[@keketsomega8358]

@@Msl4sho In my street alone(not the entire Town) we have four poor families from Lesotho one recently moved in months ago, their children go to government schools. How can I know little of Basotho when i am Mosotho(Mokoena wa Monaheng) myself, my grandfather was born in Lesotho, Thaba -Phechela to be precise, I have 70% of my relatives living that side . First being born in Lesotho doesn't make you better Mosotho than others, I don't want to take this conversation to who are real Basotho ho ya 'ka letoto la diboko/liboko' since it will nullify the name Basotho. I know and understand my people history better than you think I know. The issue of land reposition is still the main debate in SA especially the Free State. More than 70% of land is still owned by whites and the geography is still colonial for the fact that we have names like Senekal, Wepener and Lady Hophouse on this new dispensation still remind us of our painful past. Free State is a domestic matter. If Lesotho claim its an independent country I don't know how this land issue be resolved. An independent country cannot enter affairs of another country.

[@keketsomega8358]

@@lwazihagaigwiji They denied that many times, especially the Lesotho politician and their elites. They benefit a lot from Lesotho independence, they live lavish lifestyle at the expense of their people.

[@bokangmokoena3370]

Me being born and raised in Gauteng 🇿🇦 I would very much like Lesotho to be 10th province. Empa Basotho🇱🇸 haba batle hoba karolo ya Afrika Boroa. Ke batla ho etela Frei Stata🇿🇦 le Lesotho🇱🇸.

[@abrahamsneo7783]

As a Lesotho cityzen, 🇱🇸 I know exactly how the corrupt governments sold our small country . It's really sad. We're really poor while politicians live lavish lifestyle with our taxes.

[@victorlungu7675]

This is really sad! Politicians in lesotho are not helping the country.

[@rickmorty7284]

What a beautiful country.

[@roeteroestof3896]

So true😞 but GOD will soon deal with all politicians and their injustice and unfair practices.

[@nostramashego4226]

@@roeteroestof3896 no, God only helps those who help themselves

[@vivekp4854]

70 million is below market price for that water, Lesotho is effectively subsidizing South Africa's water supply - Caspian report. Don't forget the loss of agricultural land, grazing grounds for cattle due to the dams. Lesotho is left with nothing but big dams and electricity, dependent on South Africa for basic necessities like food essentially giving back the money they were given for the water.

[@nathanngumi8467]

This is a good initiative but caution is needed especially by Lesotho to ensure that the water also benefits people and the environment in the country and not all of it is diverted to South Africa.

[@reatileleolo748]

I mean being paid 70million euros a year, this is a Lesotho problem not a South African one

[@robertoportfolio1378]

@@reatileleolo748 you are right the government got greedy .

[@natalieruss599]

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[@mavelldenis307]

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[@mavelldenis307]

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[@marann1065]

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[@kevinbrian9332]

@@marann1065 People are scared of investing because of the high rate of scammers.

[@Vivian-vp9ft]

@@kevinbrian9332 I'm from Indiana i have been an investor with ava in cryptocurrency for over 4years now.

[@ravenblack7052]

Undoubtedly, the compensation is being pocketed by the Lesotho government. Very disappointing that this problem has not been interrogated fully by the journalists and both governments not interviewed to provide answers. It just feels like a hatchet job or perhaps someone simply wanted to ser the real Wakanda, I wonder....

[@marvohope7585]

Ĺ

[@petroszwaras6205]

When war struck government get surprised bit they are the 1s robing our parents of their lands and ancestry

[@robertoportfolio1378]

@@marvohope7585 his right bro ...Lesotho 🇱🇸 gets electricity from south africa 🇿🇦 ,its just Lesotho is to small but at the same time the water only helps the city of gold so it really has nothing to do with the rest of south africa

[@Miamcoline]

Its really good to see that there are people and organisations who care about their country and are not just standing aside and letting negative things happen to their environment and their community.

[@MrLoobu]

Where did you see this? In your dreams?

[@Miamcoline]

@@MrLoobu The NGOs in the video. You don't believe they are doing an ok job?

[@MrLoobu]

@@Miamcoline I dont see where they made any difference no.

[@Miamcoline]

@@MrLoobu I'm sorry to hear that. But I guess it definitely can be an issue with NGOs not making any difference, being unrealistic, being corrupt, or be completely unproductive.

[@robertoportfolio1378]

@@Miamcoline bro the government was just greedy 70 million a year is a lot the king must be happy with this deal

[@matseperetselisitsoe7170]

As a citizen of Lesotho, I really appreciate that you found it worthy to cover this issue. However, here is a piece of advice: when you cover content from other countries, especially where the language is different from yours, please collaborate with locals so that the pronunciation of names of people and places could be correct. Your translation was really on point, good work indeed and thank you.

[@yoman7777]

Very beautiful country ❤️

[@MeatGoblin88]

Lesotho is probably one of the hardest countries to find a local to collaborate with when making a short news piece such as this

[@HeroInHelp]

The geography of that country is stunning. I always thought that pocket in SA was some lake, not a landlocked mountainous country!

[@nellym46664]

In some ways, it is a lake😅

[@logen6792]

still to this day I do not understand why Lesotho is a country inside another country?

[@soothingserenerelaxationmu7659]

Lesotho refused to join Union of South Africa in 1910 which later became an apartheid racist state. So they lost much of their land which is now occupied by SA. Some part of the following province were teritories of Basotho Kingdom ( eastern cape ,north west, western cape, gauteng, with small portions in KZN and mpumalanga, the entire Free State province is historically Lesotho). It wasn't easy for a young nation like that to fight Four encroaching armies all at once with no allies (Boers & British from South & East, Zulus rom east (Xhosas were no friends from east as well) and other tribes from the north) it was basically surrounded by enemies so the current Lesotho was the last stand which has never been occupied by any foreign armies. South Africa also sent armies in 1998 and they were still defeated through Lesotho suffured huge casualties. In fact, technically Lesotho was never colonized but they asked British Empire to become their protectorate, by handing a portion of their autonomy to the British. They kicked the British & Boers a*s multiple times and without guns if I may say. This nation has been surviving over 200 years through wits. They have been defending themselves ever since. Even now with the so called "Democratic South Africa". The current governmant over the past 30 years has been shi* though and I do not think my mother's homeland will survive the next decade. 5 Years for me is enough for it to colapse :(

[@logen6792]

@@soothingserenerelaxationmu7659 I get the history behind it but the way the whole thing is structured is useless because at the end of the day its INSIDE South Africa......how does a normall country operate inside another country? And growing up in South Africa I always till to this day felt like Lesotho people are South Africans and I think most South Africans would agree

[@jankilehloma1971]

@@logen6792 this is how I always put it,Mosotho from Lesotho speaking, technically we are South Africans, legally we are not.its just a country like any other,check the place called Orania in South Africa, still the same with Lesotho,they even have their own currency

[@tshepo4612]

@@jankilehloma1971 Orania is rubbish it nothing compared to Lesotho and it must stop very soon

[@jankilehloma1971]

@@alfredphamotse1316 you missed the point I was trying to make by a mile

[@lu881]

Lesotho is a BEAUTIFUL place. It's like Switzerland in Africa.

[@cellb2619]

Switzerland is like Lesotho

[@dannyarcher6370]

_It's like Switzerland in Africa._ Haaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahaha.

[@alexandermutune6131]

Swaziland (Now called eswatini) & not Switzerland.Don't confuse the two countries, sir.

[@dannyarcher6370]

@@alexandermutune6131 He wasn't. He was equating the geography of Switzerland and Lesotho as alpine countries.

[@lu881]

@@alexandermutune6131 With comprehension like yours, I'm surprised you could even string a sentence together

[@mrplumtreeandfamily9899]

I like Lesotho mountains the country is so beautiful

[@carlajordon4540]

O MY GOD, THE LAND IS BEYOND BEAUTIFUL 😍

[@governormadea5937]

You can’t blame South Africa for this. It’s purely on our disgustingly distinction of our government

[@seritikhabisi7969]

Your aggressive South Africa stole our water and just pay peanuts and its Insulting!

[@thapelomaraisane8705]

This is wild. Mr. Mothusi Seqhee lives in the village I grew up in. I'm in college with his daughter!

[@abrahamsneo7783]

Didn't think our small country will make it to the headlines.

[@mck5549]

78million euros per annum x 18 = R1.4 billion...not that large an amount but it can make an impact in the right hands... intersting documentary, I am lookig forward to an expanded version, this was a taste of the story.

[@tsehlotsehlo8806]

this is a lie, it is approximately R60 million

[@splashafrica]

Its like a 6th of the countries capital expenditure its allot of money they just need to utilize it wisely. Problem is these SADC countries all have corruption problems there isn't a working model in the region that all these countries people can unit around to end this bad behavior because people are stubborn with their politics

[@dannyarcher6370]

Drink up, Lesotho. When South Africa collapses, you go down with the ship. LOL

[@Kirsten567]

😂

[@binaysenapati]

An Indian businessman Dharam Kapoor once missed his flight to Lesotho. His brother sold the gift he was supposed to give to the king of Lesotho.

[@vik4741]

Lesotho must just become a Province of South Africa. They are too heavily dependent on South Africa, might as well join them. There's no proper medical care in Lesotho, so their people always come to SA for medical assistance. There's no free education in Lesotho. Just join SA and stop being stubborn. You can't run a country when your only asset is water

[@callistotv0]

South Africa hold one of 3 enclaves on Earth, and the only enclave in Africa. If they intergrate, South Africa will lose the priviledge.

[@vik4741]

@@callistotv0 Who cares, are we being paid to have that privilege? nope, so we won't lose much

[@callistotv0]

@@vik4741 SA will lose a cultural priviledge to the EU. In fact, Italy is not being paid to hold San Marino, nor is it paid to hold the Vatican, but never complains about either being a sovereign state within them. By intergrating Lesotho within SA, the entire continent loses the priviledge of holding an independant enclave, and South Africa will become what they swore to avoid: Imperialists.

[@callistotv0]

In fact, San Marino does rely on Italy for literally everything as well, with tourism as the only asset. Why aren't they intergrating into Italy? Lesotho has several mines, including the highest average elevation on the continent. There are too many variables to intergration, with an entire continent's modern culture put at risk.

[@missbenjamin8955]

You ar clearly in the dark. Lesotho is a sweet tax haven for South African politicians. That is the true reason Lesotho will never be absorbed into South Africa.

[@jocelynevkb5889]

Thank you, SADLY, for providing insights into the impact of greed & mismanagement to a fragile ecosystem & to the livelihoods of its ancestral inhabitants ... Could the music be turned down at the end of the segment, though, to hear the final statement ... !?!

[@elram2649]

"...we are at the brink of saving it or letting it fall." 👍

[@pami333]

@@elram2649 thank you.

[@karaboseleke5691]

Its sad how much water we export yet we as Basotho have a water crisis in our villages

[@nellym46664]

Its sad how much electricity we export yet we as South Africans have an energy crisis in our cities & villages

[@zapfanzapfan]

70 million per year is not nothing. That should pay for a lot of development. Any Lesotho officials buying yachts instead?

[@revolution475]

...if you do the conversion, that amounts to 1.5 billion rands. Should SA pay more? How much?

[@darongardner4294]

Desalination units should be constructed in South Africa which could provide water with out impacting on other regions. They take up a smaller area than a dam with out land loss.

[@NicoCoetzee]

We had a number of plants a while back in Cape Town due to a severe drought. Many of those plants have closed down and as I understand it the running costs were just too high. However, the good news is that I see some new projects now in Cape Town to build new plants - so lets wait and see how that plays out.

[@revolution475]

A little known fact to many South Africans; we actually do have desalination plants and have had them for more than a decade or so. The Mossel Bay installation produces about 15 mega litres per day. This was for Mossel Bay municipality and in partnership with MosGas if I remember correctly. Gas exploration and production being another interesting project we have in the country. The Eastern Cape, Canon Rick and Boknes installation produces about 1 mega litre per day. The Lambert's Bay installation produces 1.7 mega litres per day. This is for the Cedarberg Municipality in the Western Cape. The Plattenburg Bay and Knysna installations produces about 2 mega litres per day, respectively. A much more recent installation in Port Alfred produces about 2 mega litres per day. This was commissioned in late 2021. Furthermore, we do have the technology and expertise. Unfortunately our main stream media, like everywhere else thrives on negativity.

[@Genkaro]

@@revolution475 there's a lot of negatives to desalination. No matter how you get to it, each litre of desalinated water on average also produces one litre of watery brine, a byproduct that is released back into the sea. Brine sinks and starves oxygen rich waters, killing all sealife around it.

[@revolution475]

@@Genkaro As you will have read, my reply addresses the assertion that South Africa does not have desalination plants, or that those that existed may have been decommissioned due to running costs. Both claims cannot be maintained when comparing them with reality. That being said, this does not diminish the material trade offs realized when choosing to implement the above-mentioned schemes, especially with the objective of complementing existing bulk water and sanitation schemes in order to attain water security in those regions or the country as a whole. The trade-offs (which I'm fully aware of) are well worth it in my opinion, particularly for the communities concerned.

[@luckystriker7489]

Desalination plants require a lot of electricity and South Africa is experiencing an energy crisis.

[@teo7no]

that villange and its landscape are just amazing, too bad greed, once again, is ruining people lives and their environments....

[@janstander7830]

Yes and if those regimes did not build the dams we would have all died from thirst, water doesn’t come from a tap it comes from a dam

[@splashafrica]

The purpose of the Lesotho Highland project is to move water upstream to supply the Gauteng Vaal river with water from the KZN togela River in times of drought and to supply Lesotho with electricity in times of plenty. The dams where never about water for Lesotho having water to spare was just a bonus. Perhaps they should consider fish farming if they want to extract more value out of this water scheme.

[@tjjsquad8152]

And this can also be great from south africa 🇿🇦 👏

[@kamakingsings]

The town where it's being mined should be heavily compensated

[@mooncake387]

that will never happen, uncontrolled capitalism is truly the root of evil

[@robertoportfolio1378]

Bro 70 million a year is bring paid to their king so south africa has nothing more to do

[@NgolaNalane]

Blame the politicians

[@makhethemakamase6816]

Your translation is inaccurate. I appreciate you bringing attention to this pertinent issue but accurate translation is important.

[@MidoriKokkoro]

idk lesotho has very beautiful scenery

[@Daniel-fl5oq]

You gain economy. others loss lives.

[@Genkaro]

I've visited the rivers downstream of Lesotho like the Umtata and have since never seen such visible soil erosion anywhere else. All these dams upstream are keeping the crucial sediments away from where they're meant to be! The coastlines and riverbeds are receding since no little soil makes it out each dam. And what about the buildup of all that behind these dams? It's all turning out to be an environmental catastrophe.

[@joerogain5025]

Did you know that our bodies are 60% water?

[@alexandermutune6131]

70 Million euros can make a big change among citizens if Lesotho leadership put it into the rightful use among the community.The country has rich land that can be utilized to produce cash crops for export

[@nuvi5480]

I don't see how the dam construction is making that big of an impact on erosion. It is the over grazing!

[@Msl4sho]

If you knew the geography of Lesotho you would understand, as for now the video has no context to you.

[@elephantman2112]

The loss of arable land forced more livestock onto less land. This led to overgrazing. It's due to the dams.

[@luckystriker7489]

The Basotho also believe that annual burning of grasslands stimulate growth. They are mistaken and it contributes to erosion.

[@Shawn-ts4jw]

@@elephantman2112 lol, the land that was lost was so small, got nothing to do with that. Also, why is erosion happening higher up in the mountains where there is no damns?

[@mythoughtsxcttheexempt2112]

"Back when the children were growing up..." wrong translation "Back when WE were growing up..." or the alternative of this would be correct... Just saying...

[@lM-zr5vu]

Lesotho should just become part of South Africa.

[@mantuli_ka1]

You're speaking dough

[@Lulama_ZA]

This is so wrong,but someone somewhere is chowing money while the people are crying...hectic

[@maniusa4777]

Plant trees it will cool the planet.

[@JO_Artificial]

Trees on rocks

[@maniusa4777]

@@JO_Artificial Bonsai grows on rocks.

[@mosalethoba5267]

@@maniusa4777 what type of climate does bonsai grow on remembering that Lesotho is the highest and coldest country in Africa. Again we don't know how it's gonna impact the local ecosystem some invasive species are very dangerous for local ecosystems

[@maniusa4777]

@@mosalethoba5267 We need to plant more trees all over the world to help with the climate,i don't think Lesotho is all rocks.

[@splashafrica]

Not exactly plant trees in urban areas and it works plant trees in desert and you actually make it worse... don't ask me... science.

[@bagumarwaheeru6315]

The land is beautiful

[@kj2346]

Sooon you wil be a province of SA we need weed and water

[@prophetthaanyane4828]

It will never happen, trust me!

[@kj2346]

@@prophetthaanyane4828 then you wil die poor

[@cellb2619]

@@prophetthaanyane4828 the weed part or the province part🤔 asking for my neighbours wife

[@palesaputsoa]

I hate ignorant people at the expense of other African people

[@prophetthaanyane4828]

@@cellb2619 Both. The thing is Lesotho is not just any other country. You will UNDERSTAND this very soon!

[@bernhardtherbst7679]

In Africa its always somebody elses fault. Poor agricultural practices and overgrazing = soil erosion. Money not reaching communities is due to corruption from people who they, the communities, voted into power.

[@mthokozisingwenya7816]

Yes go and change something when you are a sheep herder and someone is making decisions on your behalf. This is an issue between South Africa and Lesotho. I am sure something mutually beneficial can be ironed out.

[@abrahamsneo7783]

As someone from this country, I can tell you that the situation can't be fixed. The project started in late 80s and many different governments had been elected since the 80s. Everyone is corrupt in this country. It's rooted deep in our society. It's sad , but average Joe like myself can't do anything about it. We're helpless.

[@qhawenxele8032]

In the US a teenager killed 19 children and two teachers, is it their fault that that happened because they voted in a government that didn't restrict lax gun laws?

[@geelhealthcarespecialistcl2368]

Lesotho is a monarchy. Africa is made up of 53 different countries with different political systems and varying levels of influence from the West.

[@dannyarcher6370]

@@geelhealthcarespecialistcl2368 It has the same political system as the UK. Try again.

[@lebohangnthamatshepo1624]

AMAZING WOULD LOVE TO GO THERE ONE DAY

[@thabomphuthi9739]

In terms of economics apartheid is the best thing that has happened to South Africa. Fact that the world had to exclude trading with South Africa, and the stubborness of the regime to continue their course. It meant that South Africa had to find ways to produce everything for themselves.... Now best industries in Africa are found in South Africa. What will it take for Lesotho to provide for it's ppl? No more trade with South Africa and the world. It will be painful and hard for us.....but I dare us to take these course for 50 years

[@morthasivaramakrishna2657]

from India may god bless all

[@darongardner4294]

If you look on the Israeli web sites thier water management systems are very good and they have a long term sustainable management strategy. Please read it it is very useful. Or if you need a management plan I could provide one for your organisation.

[@acchaladka]

Thank you for this excellent profile DW. I'm in Québec and hydropower properly managed, can enrich everyone in society. Something is obviously being mismanaged and likely corrupt. Given the Kingdom's reputation, surprise..... 🙄

[@pitsonamane5356]

You are so right. The government of Lesotho is so useless. All the money is goes in the politicians pockets.

[@joerogain5025]

No water, no life!

[@oldgamerchick]

So very sad 🙏❤

[@marchinlee3947]

Since there is now a problem with this project, about to see how Johannesburg and Gauteng are going to get its water. The only thing with ANC to is to see their complete incompetance in everything. Electricity, water, security, borders, finances and corruption.

[@ngudududlamini252]

We need to annex Lesotho

[@Architectofawesome]

I wish them good luck.

[@user-wr4yl7tx3w]

Why can’t they say ANC?

[@RasAlke]

Only a handful of people are not happy about this project and it's understandable. Before this project no one in Lesotho had electricity and a tap in his house, people used to fetch water from community taps or wells. Now there's water and the dam is generating 75 MW of electricity for Lesotho

[@LM-rg9lj]

You know, thinking of it, modern development looks good but it's not worth it. Just leave people alone living their habitual life.

[@robertmuller5039]

More great news. keep the fresh water from entering the ocean. Very simple

[@TheAxesoul]

Water from Lesotho goes to Johannesburg not to the whole of South Africa.

[@victormarotya2268]

As a South African I strongly condemn what has been done to these villagers. If you do a project in Lesotho, by all means hire the locals. Let them at least get something from this

[@Kirsten567]

You think in a country with a population of less than 3 million there will be enough people who has the required skills, qualifications and experience to build such a big dam on their own? They are being compensated unless their government is corrupt

[@joerogain5025]

Selling your water cheap is like giving your life giving blood away for free.

[@fern7306]

Giving blood is a noble act.… Someday you might need a blood transfusion after an accident

[@revolution475]

@@fern7306 ...a noble act indeed.

[@revolution475]

@Joe ROGAIN, how much should the water be sold for?

[@suspiciousafternoon]

Never made sense why Lesotho is independent from South Africa

[@camilla_k97]

One or two villages CAN suffer for sake of the whole region. Don't care about a few always dissatisfied locals. Tens of millions in Lesotho 🇱🇸 and in South Africa 🇿🇦 should have enough water for everything.

[@thapelomaraisane8705]

Did you watch the video?

[@revolution475]

This has nothing to do with South Africa, Lesotho gets compensation and electricity as part of an agreement to supply SA with water. Them not compensating their people is ruthless and of course their problem 🤷.

[@TommyTheWalker]

South Africa should look into NYCs sewage treatment which is very successful. They may be able get more water out of treated sewage. With 16 millions in the Johannesburg are that's a lot of water that could be used for agriculture

[@clydemeyer867]

This is a double-edge sword, the country needs a mutually beneficial relationship with South Africa. But at same the time, putting up natural resources for sale may allow further exploitation. Both parties need this deal to go through. All stakeholders, including the common residents, need to benefit though🙏

[@JohannBBravo]

very one sided story! fortunately democracy does not mean a veto of each and every citizen. and hydroelectric power plants and more water supply for the cities are great for those countries! its kind of silly presenting those people who are obviously kind of wronged and not show how much it will do for the other people in the country! i dont like this anti-progress sentimental kind of stories.

[@mooncake387]

you are advocating for oppression on the basis that some benefit from it.

[@JohannBBravo]

@@mooncake387 i am advocating for a possibility to progress and develop an impoverished economy without having to overvalue the inconvenience of a very very very small group of people. call me a monster!

[@mooncake387]

@@JohannBBravo you are heartless if you cant even empathize with human beings

[@marieindia8116]

@@JohannBBravo monster

[@volvo24091]

It is called Wokeness.

[@nellym46664]

After looking at a satellite image of Lesotho compared with SA, I can say that overgrazing and poor farming practices are the actual reason for soil erosion, not the dams.

[@upside_iq]

As a Mosotho man in few years down the line this projects will be subsidised to SA ownership due to unfactored inflation...Lesotho won't benefit at all will SA gets all our water cheaply.....the agreement should hv factored INFLATION as major priority.....in 100 years Lesotho should just forget abt LHWP....

[@vivekp4854]

70 million is below market price for that water, Lesotho is effectively subsidizing South Africa's water supply - Caspian report. Don't forget the loss of agricultural land, grazing grounds for cattle due to the dams. Lesotho is left with nothing but big dams and electricity, dependent on South Africa for basic necessities like food essentially giving back the money they were given for the water.

[@Kirsten567]

70 million euros is alot😂

[@thomasneedham1224]

This makes me so mad! I can't believe they promised them jobs in exchange for their land, then offered all the jobs to foreigners. How can the villagers feed themselves now they no fields to plant food in? How evil is that!

[@missbstuurman]

Very evil, but i also notice the villagers look older. Maybe they prioritized hiring educated young people 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@thomasneedham1224]

@@missbstuurman they promised to hire people, from the village, and the rest Lesotho, but hired South Africans instead.

[@missbstuurman]

@@thomasneedham1224 ohh no that's just wrong on their part.

[@tydo326]

This is just painful.

[@sphesihle2]

Lesotho benefits alot from providing water to South Africa, the Lesotho government is the problem. They are provided with enough funds to fund their government, the dams are built with S.A money and they are also provided with military protection. Without the help of S.A Lesotho wouldn't be able to even have a proper government.

[@Kirsten567]

This lady complaining about the jobs being given to South Africans meanwhile their people are strolling across our border also to work over here🙄their people maybe doesn't have the skills and education to help build the dam that benefits both countries btw

[@DaveSauuu]

when you see how nothern countries deal with their water, you know the world will end soon!

[@shisuiuchiha480]

How do they?

[@revolution475]

You watch too much Alien Covenant

[@Robrulz666icloud]

My initial comment was HATE HUMANITY which I now concede was out of frustration and I must admit my mistake or rather poor choice of words. CORRECTION I AM SO FRUSTRATED BY HUMANITY AND OUR CONTINUED DEVASTATION OF THIS BEAUTIFUL PLANET 🌍

[@adoatero5129]

Hate is a reason for many problems, both on personal and societal level.

[@Robrulz666icloud]

@@adoatero5129 Really? I would definitely say GREED,CORRUPTION, DEFORESTATION,POLLUTION OF OUR WATERWAYS, I could name so many more examples but life’s to short. So yeah I ABSOLUTELY HATE HUMANITY 💀

[@adoatero5129]

@@Robrulz666icloud - “Really?” Yes. - “I would definitely say GREED,CORRUPTION, DEFORESTATION,POLLUTION OF OUR WATERWAYS” Those too. It’s not an either-or thing. - “So yeah I ABSOLUTELY HATE HUMANITY” Does that include you?

[@Robrulz666icloud]

@@adoatero5129 No because I live an almost completely self sufficient lifestyle growing more than 80% of my own food my home is solar powered which actually allows me to get rebates back for the excess power I produce. I could continue but I think we can both agree you don’t want to hear that. So i will say YES THAT INCLUDES MYSELF. Now run along cheers

[@adoatero5129]

@@Robrulz666icloud That's great! I don't have land where to grow, so I can't grow my own food, but I try to make responsible choices when I buy things (organic, sustainably manufactured, etc.), and recycle as much as I can. I don't own a car, and ride bicycle around the year instead. I haven't learned to hate yet, but I'm sometimes frustrated, so perhaps that'll change 🙂.

[@mositolekhooana2157]

Apparently more damns are to be built with the similar aim of supplying South Africa with water. Currently Katse and Mohale dams do the job and Polihali dam construction also is underway. FACT: Communities living around dam construction sites LACK WATER and no one is saying nothing about it.

[@tloutlou2655]

Greed

[@pietrojenkins6901]

@@tloutlou2655 greed and avarice at the cost of their own.

[@washingtonnyathi3395]

That's just sad, the greedy gov should first make sure the people have water before selling it to greedy south africa.

[@abrahamsneo7783]

Rich capitalists are exploiting our small country and politicians sold us out. Many people 8n rural districts don't have water. Greed and madness ruined this country

[@revolution475]

@@washingtonnyathi3395 ...the Lesotho people are the sole responsibility of the Lesotho government. The water projects are paid for with South African tax money, and by the way the Lesotho government gets paid for this water by South Africa and to to it all off, they get electricity. If the Lesotho government really wanted those people to have water, they would have connected them to the local municipalities that provides water treated to potable standards. The water from these dams is piped to and treated in South Africa to SANS241 standards, making suitable for public consumption.

[@mrkntlele2568]

This is more of a curse than a blessing, beautiful Land of Lesotho and it's people are going to be left without water... while neighboring countries enjoys the Basotho 🌊 💦...

[@Kirsten567]

SA is paying for it it's not like we are getting it for free. Relax, you are still getting water

[@mrkntlele2568]

@@Kirsten567 And it's not like the payment you are talking about Is benefiting those people who were removed there, for you to get fresh clean water.

[@carlajordon4540]

How can this be done,, ON THE CONTINENT, WHAT YEAR IS THISSSSS

[@rapulamodise983]

Basotho must be very careful, South Africa will build more infrastructure s in Lesotho, and at the end Lesotho will be swallowed by South Africa just like Hawaii being swallowed by USA systematically.

[@lente.ntsihlele]

This is well documented...

[@Kirsten567]

No it's not

[@lente.ntsihlele]

@@Kirsten567 and you are? 🤷‍♂️

[@Kirsten567]

@@lente.ntsihlele the Virgin Mary

[@lente.ntsihlele]

@@Kirsten567 seems like it 🙄

[@dimpels1978]

how can you blame apartheid when its the anc who is in power for 25 years

[@aphiwemagaya3279]

Please do deep research before waste funds on filming a documentary that doesn't have enough information

[@skerminkel9971]

I tried to watch, but why should I care if the narrator cannot even be bothered to pronounce the country's name properly?

[@gwenbaxter7854]

Please don't blame the outdated Apartheid government for Phase 2 of this project. They were involved in Phase 1 only. The current government has been involved in all the negotiations and promises of relocation and compensation of Phase 2. As a citizen of South Africa I Know that these promises are not worth the paper they are written on. My heart bleads for this beautiful country and its people who are being exploited.

[@seritikhabisi7969]

It is the evil purpose of anc government to exploit other African nations. ANC government is doing bad things to Lesotho, just like cruel things Israel is doing to Palestine in the Middle East. These our Highlands waters they are steal from us, will cause terrible floods in Gauteng like they overflow vaal dam. They will steal our water forcefully and God will reprimand them through huge floods around gauteng province. Waters will badly destroy their houses and other properties like vehicles. Our water will curse them these thieves of other countries natural resources.

no construction project will be a savior of all _ 1000's of labour has surely benefited from this on both sides of the border ... and millions will benefit in the end

[@jamaicasysbm2580]

Lesotho 🇱🇸 do better than that

[@jenniferpetersen2788]

So educational! How does one pronounce Lesotho? 🤣

[@anthonytesla8382]

Leh-soh-to

[@noadie2937]

why they not grown trees?

[@MightyMike55]

This is what “so called Investors” bring to an African country

[@petrolandcoffee]

This is an important story and the Lesotho government needs to be held accountable what frustrates me about this story is the selective translation. Why are entire sentences giving context not translated. Do better work, Ha re lipopae tsa lona. Le rona re batho 'me mathata a rona a hloka ho utluisisoa.

[@scottcrockett8270]

The regular citizen.....screwed again

[@ROCKArocka]

south africa build that btw

[@gedenironald8635]

Make documentaries in of poverty and misery in villages in Europe, Moldova, Bosnia, Ukraine and many extremely poor European countries.

[@markgarin6355]

The union of south Africa can afford to supplement the dislodged folks.

[@la23s.a.22]

One day Lesotho will just become an autonomous region in South Africa.

[@manimalworks7424]

All that money vaporized? DW didn’t try to find out?

[@AndrewMcFarlane_1]

Not dams... politicians. Yet more victimhood reporting. The narrator must learn to pronounce Lesotho properly.

[@user-ww1qp2ms2z]

There is no any reason inside south Africa need another country. This is really a funny thing. There are no need any country inside another country n also is very small. Wt what?.

[@zb3495]

Why doesn’t South Africa get water conservation and desalination education from israel ?

[@dannyarcher6370]

Lasohtow.

[@BootsieTheGreek]

Not at the rate they work holy moly unorganized, slow, no workers, no equipment nothing will get done

[@adoatero5129]

A bulldozer is not equipment?

[@lebohangrasebate1581]

These water do nothing for us.