SENQU BRIDGE PHASE 11 LAUNCHED

South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho officially unveiled the completed Senqu Bridge in April 2026, marking a major milestone in Phase 11 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). The bridge was declared ready for use by motorists in April 2026, in Mokhotlong District, Lesotho.

Senqu is the largest of three major bridges being developed as part of Phase 2, alongside the Mabuyane and Khubelu bridges. These crossings are designed to ensure continued access across the Polihali Reservoir once water levels rise following the dam’s completion. Measuring about 825 metres in length and 90 metres high, the Senqu Bridge will provide a vital transport link across the reservoir, maintaining connectivity to the national road network via the A1 route, which links Mokhotlong to Maseru.

The bridge forms part of the broader LHWP, a treaty-based partnership between South Africa and Lesotho established in 1986 to address water security, energy generation and socio-economic development. At the same time, Lesotho benefits through hydropower generation, infrastructure development and long-term economic opportunities.

The project harnesses the Orange-Senqu River system through a network of dams and transfer tunnels, supplying water to South Africa’s Integrated Vaal River System, which supports the economic hub of Gauteng.

Phase 1 of the LHWP, completed in 2003, laid the foundation for the current expansion. Phase 2 builds on this foundation and once completed, will increase water transfer to South Africa by an additional 490 million cubic metres per year.

The Katse Dam, completed in 1997, is one of the highest dams in Africa and serves as the main storage reservoir of the project.

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