The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) hosted a strategic engagement meeting this week in Maseru, bringing together key stakeholders who work closely with its headquarters.
The purpose of the meeting was to gather input, address concerns, and compile feedback from central stakeholders ahead of the upcoming Annual Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting, scheduled for March 26–27, at the ‘Manthabiseng Convention Centre in Maseru.
Speaking with Newsday on the sidelines of the gathering, LHDA’s Public Relations Manager, Mpho Brown, highlighted the importance of continuous engagement, stating that the LHDA sought to interact with stakeholders to track project progress, understand challenges, and identify areas for improvement.
“We held a similar engagement meeting in 2024, but before the national stakeholders’ engagement meeting, we conducted regional meetings in ‘Muela, Katse, Polihali, and Mohale, focusing on communities directly affected by the projects,” Brown explained.
He noted that in response to previous recommendations, the LHDA had expanded this year’s consultations to include Maseru-based stakeholders, ensuring broader participation before the main conference.
“We engaged civil society organisations, trade unions, and academic institutions that we collaborate with in youth empowerment programs. We also invited media house leaders to provide feedback on LHDA’s progress, information-sharing strategies, and areas of improvement in working relations,” he said.
Brown further stated that feedback from communities in the mini-conferences showed increased appreciation, motivation, and satisfaction with the LHDA’s efforts compared to previous years. However, he acknowledged that some challenges raised in 2024 still need resolution.
Call for greater civil society involvement
Lenka Thamae, representing Policy, Environmental Justice and Water Resources Advocacy (PEWA) at the LHDA gathering, called for stronger collaboration between the LHDA and civil society organisations, which advocate for the rights of communities affected by the LHWP.
“I am happy that they finally invited us to the gathering after many years of leaving us out in the cold. We stand ready to work with them to ensure that the people get the water supply they so deserve,” he said.
Thamae also urged the LHDA to make its plans and policy documents accessible to civil society groups, emphasising their role in protecting the interests of affected communities.
“We also appeal to them to make their policy documents available to us. If they don’t, we will be forced to make our own uninformed decisions about how the LHDA runs its affairs,” he said.
He further criticised the LHDA for excluding PEWA from key strategic discussions, particularly its 10-year strategy stakeholder summit.
“We believe that we are experts and partners in community affairs, including the LHWP treaty. The policies of the LHWP directly affect us and the people we represent, which is why it is crucial for the LHDA to engage with us,” Thamae stated.
Other community representatives raised concerns about compensation delays, access to essential resources, and resettlement conditions, urging the LHDA to prioritise sustainable livelihoods for displaced families.
Discussions also touched on environmental concerns, particularly the impact of dam construction on local ecosystems and the need for clear and consistent communication between the LHDA and affected communities throughout the project’s implementation.
The LHDA pledged to take stakeholder feedback into account, assuring participants that regular engagement sessions would be held to track progress and address concerns effectively.
As the LHWP continues to expand, affected communities and stakeholders hope that such engagement sessions will lead to more transparent, fair, and community-centered solutions.
With the Annual Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting scheduled for March 26–27, all eyes will be on the LHDA to see how it incorporates stakeholder feedback into its long-term strategy
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports.
Started working at Newsday in 2021.
has an Associate Degree in Journalism and Media.
