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dam-l Editorial on LHWP/LS



Mopheme/The Survivor

                              a weekly newspaper published by Newsshare
Foundation in Maseru, Lesotho
                                              Tel: 266-311670 | Fax: 266-311670
                                                E-mail: mopheme@lesoff.co.za



Vuyani Tyhali (Editorial)

January 26, 1999

Maseru - If wishes were horses - then the whole Lesotho and Basotho would
certainly derive great benefits from the new found
economic base of the white gold' of Lesotho. From the statements made
during the inauguration of the Muela Hydropower system
on Friday, one can definitely see the whole country take a positive
development turn and kiss goodbye to all the problems brought
about poverty and joblessness.

If only politicians statements, especially Lesotho politicians, were
something to hold on to, there is no question that every Mosotho
would see a positive change in their lives as communities and as
individuals. There is no question again that every Mosotho, in the
rural and urban areas would even want to see more water collected for sale,
energy generation, irrigation and other money spinning
projects.

But, talking from experience and probably not judging from not a long time
ago history, our politicians have only been a lot too good
with their talk than actions. Amongst some of the outstanding and appealing
statements made at the inauguration, especially by
Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, is the one that Basotho should benefit
first from the Highlands Water Project, even before the
water is tunneled out to South Africa for sale.

This has been one of the many worries of yesteryears and even of today. How
does an ordinary Mosotho benefit from this world
acclaimed modern engineering multi-million project? Even the few benefits
that come from the project, like Mosisili put it, seem only
to be enjoyed by the urban communities at the expense of those rural people
whose land and properties were affected by the
project.

Prime Minister Mosisili wished away this tendency and others and hoped that
Basotho will now look at the project's benefits thinking
of Lesotho and Basotho first. Another idea brought about at the ocassion
was that of the rural electrification as well as making the
Lesotho electricity accessible to all and at affordable means.

One may want to believe that the rural communities do not need electricity,
but that believe, one can be assured, can be wipped out
soonest once affordable and efficient means are introduced in the
distribution of electricity in the country. At present, the terms and
conditions are killing and very discouraging to any ordinary citizen of
this country.

To most people, to have electricity had become a permanent dream, but that
can now be turned into a true dream if the government
and all implementing authorities turn these good policy statements into
actions. It is the wish of the people of Lesotho to see the
Lesotho Highlands Development Project bring not only developments for the
sake of the undertakers but also developments that all
Basotho can be proud of and benefit from.

It is also the wish of the people to see the water project not only remain
a painful and non-healing scar in their hearts. The image
that seemed to be imprinting on many people's minds that the project has
brought about misery, oppression, selfish foreign
interests that can only be protected by Basotho's blood, has to be removed
and corrected and the only way is to let the people see
the benefits and not only be told about the benefits.

It is also the expectation of the people that once the project has been
fully completed, structures would be in place to assure the
future of our children. Definitely this huge project is not meant for us,
but for our children, and unless they see the importance of
water in the development of Lesotho, there is no way they will protect it
with an uncompromising interest.

We wish to start seeing Basotho children being introduced to water, not
only on guided tours to be told wonder stories about how it
is sold or the dams were build to the perfection od modern technology, but
also to be given full opportunities to use the Lesotho
waters for developmental games and agro-activities. Water sports are among
some of the indigenous and disappearing sports for
Basotho, and now it is the most perfect opportunity to re-launch them and
who knows, maybe some more gold from the world
meetings!



    Copyright © 1999 Mopheme/The Survivor. Distributed via Africa News
Online(www.africanews.org). For information about the
       content or for permission to redistribute, publish or use for
broadcast, contact Mopheme/The Survivor at the link above.

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      Lori Pottinger, Director, Southern Africa Program,
        and Editor, World Rivers Review
           International Rivers Network
              1847 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, California 94703, USA
                  Tel. (510) 848 1155   Fax (510) 848 1008
                        http://www.irn.org
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