Seabata Mahao and Tumelo Ramotšoane
The Roads Directorate is set to roll out the Ha-Matlali to Mosenekeng and Lebakeng Road Upgrade Project, a major infrastructure initiative expected to significantly improve access, safety and socio-economic conditions in the remote districts of Qacha’s Nek and Thaba Tseka.
The project will see an approximately 45-kilometre stretch of road upgraded to bitumen standard and was officially announced by the Roads Directorate Director General, Teboho Mokhoane.
The road links Ha-Matlali, Mosenekeng and Lebakeng to Qacha’s Nek town via the A4 Road and also includes the construction of a 1.4-kilometre access road to Melikane Combined School.
Mokhoane said the road is currently an un-engineered gravel surface that terminates at the Lebakeng Clinic parking area, making travel difficult and often dangerous, especially during the rainy season.
Once completed, the upgraded route will be classified as a Secondary Connector Road, aimed at improving access to rural and hard-to-reach communities while strengthening connectivity between districts.
“The project will be implemented over a period of 48 months at a total cost of M1.4 billion, inclusive of VAT and contingencies,” Mokhoane said.
According to the Roads Directorate, the project is expected to benefit about 1,777 households, serving an estimated population of 8,652 people. Improved access to education and health services is among the key anticipated benefits, with the road serving Melikane Combined School, several primary schools in the area, Melikane and Libobeng clinics, and Qacha’s Nek Hospital.
Project Country Manager Cao Xuefey described the road upgrade as a critical infrastructure investment for Qacha’s Nek district.
He said the contractor is fully committed to delivering the project in line with contractual obligations, applicable standards and local requirements.
“We look forward to working closely with the employer and all stakeholders to ensure the successful and timely implementation of this project,” he said.
Beyond improving access to social services, the upgraded road is expected to stimulate economic activity by enhancing market access for wool and mohair farmers, enabling year-round use of the Lebakeng Airstrip and facilitating the movement of goods and services.
The improved connectivity is also anticipated to boost tourism activities such as hiking, mountain biking, 4×4 trails, pony trekking and eco-tourism in the scenic highlands of Qacha’s Nek.
Key components of the project include the construction of four bridges across the Tsoelike, Lijabatho, Melikane and Senqu rivers, as well as improved drainage systems, road signage, traffic markings, bus bays and road reserve markers.
Safety, environmental and social concerns will be addressed through appropriate road design, enhanced drainage and the construction of a bridge across the Senqu River, which has long posed a challenge for communities seeking access to health services.
The project forms part of the Roads Directorate’s broader strategic plan to improve road conditions across the country.
Established under the Roads Directorate Act No. 16 of 2010, the Directorate is responsible for managing approximately 6,005 kilometres of Lesotho’s road network. Current assessments indicate that while most paved roads are in fair condition, unpaved roads remain in a very poor state, underscoring the need for large-scale upgrades.
The Ha-Matlali to Mosenekeng and Lebakeng Road is among several strategic projects aimed at ensuring all districts are connected by paved roads and fully integrated into the national transport network.
Once completed, the project is expected to enhance accessibility, improve safety, strengthen service delivery and promote regional integration, while contributing to poverty reduction in one of Lesotho’s most remote and historically underserved areas.
Summary
- The Roads Directorate is set to roll out the Ha-Matlali to Mosenekeng and Lebakeng Road Upgrade Project, a major infrastructure initiative expected to significantly improve access, safety and socio-economic conditions in the remote districts of Qacha’s Nek and Thaba Tseka.
- Improved access to education and health services is among the key anticipated benefits, with the road serving Melikane Combined School, several primary schools in the area, Melikane and Libobeng clinics, and Qacha’s Nek Hospital.
- Beyond improving access to social services, the upgraded road is expected to stimulate economic activity by enhancing market access for wool and mohair farmers, enabling year-round use of the Lebakeng Airstrip and facilitating the movement of goods and services.
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