Lesotho, a small landlocked country entirely surrounded by South Africa, is known for its abundant water resources, often referred to as the country’s “white gold.” The Katse Dam, the second largest curvature dam in Africa, allows more than 500,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools of water to flow into South Africa each year, a deal that earns Lesotho $200 million annually. However, this lucrative arrangement has sparked controversy, as many Lesotho citizens struggle with water access themselves, facing shortages and contaminated supplies despite the proximity to the dam.
- Lesotho supplies South Africa with significant amounts of water from the Katse Dam, earning $200 million a year.
- Despite the country’s water wealth, local villages like Ha Rariti struggle with water access, facing shortages and contamination.
- Villagers often wait hours for water, which can be contaminated with debris, leading to sickness among the population, including children.
- Government promises to improve local water supply have been unfulfilled for years, with officials now aiming to prioritize local access by 2030.
- Johannesburg, South Africa, heavily relies on Lesotho’s water, with increasing demand due to infrastructure issues, population growth, and climate change.
- A new deal has been made to supply Botswana with water from Lesotho, further expanding the economic benefits but highlighting the local disparities in water access.
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