LHDA Launches TBM Naming Competition Phase II – Schools Edition
LHDA has launched the second Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Naming Competition – Schools Edition. It invites high school learners to participate in the naming of the TBM that will excavate the Polihali Transfer Tunnel from the Polihali end.
The competition officially opened on 4 February 2026 and will close on 25 February 2026. It is open to Grade 11 learners in high schools nationwide, with a limited number of entries per school.
Targeting Grade 11 learners is a deliberate effort to contribute to educational development by strengthening research, critical engagement with complex ideas and writing skills that entail construction of logical, evidence-based arguments and creativity. The move further encourages early exposure to infrastructure development, engineering, and broader STEM-related careers and aims to foster national pride and a sense of ownership among young people, ultimately transforming a major technical milestone into a shared national moment.
Competition participants should consider the following criteria and terms and conditions:
- The competition is for Grade 11 students only
- All submissions must be made through the approved Ministry of Education and Training channels only
- Each participant should submit one entry, with one name.
- Entries must be written in English, while the proposed name should be in Sesotho.
- The proposed name should include a motivation or explanation in 450 to 600 words.
- Students whose entries form part of the top 10 names may be subjected to an interview process.
- The proposed name should reflect the features and or the work of the TBM, it can be a one-word name/ compound name/ a phrasal name
- The suggested name may not include the following names that were published by the LHDA as part of the top ten names in the Katse TBM naming competition- Khuiti ea – ngoaha Kholo KENK2, Thakali, Tebello, Sebata and Mokunyane, Lepoqo, Raboshabane, Mokhachane, Morena Molapo
Just like in the first phase of the TBM naming competition, LHDA will engage a panel of judges that will select the 10 most meaningful and creative names which will be announced across the same platforms. Subsequently, the LHDA will open a national vote to determine the winning name, which will be bestowed on the TBM. The contestant who proposes the winning name will become part of LHWPII history, receiving recognition at the naming ceremony, and be awarded prizes and honours.
The Polihali to Katse Transfer Tunnel is a key component of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. It will facilitate the gravity transfer of water from the Polihali reservoir to the Katse reservoir. Both tunnel boring and drill and blast methods are used to excavate the tunnel from the Leribe and Polihali ends. The Polihali TBM arrived in the country in July 2025, while the first TBM – Khuiti- ea-Ngoaha-Kholo (KENK2) launched excavation from the Leribe side in January, 2025.
End.
Summary
- The proposed name should reflect the features and or the work of the TBM, it can be a one-word name/ compound name/ a phrasal name.
- The suggested name may not include the following names that were published by the LHDA as part of the top ten names in the Katse TBM naming competition- Khuiti ea – ngoaha Kholo KENK2, Thakali, Tebello, Sebata and Mokunyane, Lepoqo, Raboshabane, Mokhachane, Morena Molapo.
- Just like in the first phase of the TBM naming competition, LHDA will engage a panel of judges that will select the 10 most meaningful and creative names which will be announced across the same platforms.
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