By Luzamo Sandlana
The official opening of the Senqu Bridge in Mokhotlong, Lesotho, celebrated the enduring partnership between South Africa
and Lesotho. President Cyril Ramaphosa and King Letsie III opened the bridge on 22 April.
The bridge forms part of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. It marks another step in shared water planning, infrastructure development and economic growth.
The Senqu Bridge is an 825-metre-long extradosed bridge, supported by 90-metre-tall piers designed to withstand strong winds. It crosses the Polihali reservoir and maintains crucial connectivity on the A1 Road between Oxbow and Mokhotlong.
The structure also supports Phase II construction activities and strengthens access in the project area. President Ramaphosa framed the project as one of the world’s leading examples of cross-border water cooperation.
“The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is one of the most ambitious and successful transboundary water projects in the world,” President Ramaphosa said. “It is the largest investment South Africa has ever made outside its borders.”
He was joined by King Letsie III and Lesotho’s Prime Minister, Samuel Matekane. Together, they marked the completion of a bridge that carries both practical and symbolic significance.
The ceremony began with a ribbon-cutting at the bridge, followed by a walk across the new structure. During the walk, Lesotho Highlands Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Tente Tente and TCTA Chief Executive Officer Percy Sechemane
briefed the leaders on the project.
They outlined the construction stages, challenges overcome and key milestones achieved. The delegation included Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina, Deputy Minister David Mahlobo and representatives of the Lesotho Highlands Water Commission and the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority.
TCTA was represented by Board members and senior executives. They included Chief Executive Officer Percy Sechemane, Chief Strategy Officer Pule Mothiba and Executive Manager: Project Management and Implementation William Bopape. During his address, President Ramaphosa said the Senqu Bridge tells a story of determination in the face of complexity. He noted that the project had faced several challenges, but said the teams involved remained focused on delivery.
He also emphasised the importance of ensuring that affected communities and households are not left worse off by the construction. He thanked the Basotho nation for continuing to make water resources available to South Africa.
King Letsie III described the unveiling of the Senqu Bridge as more than the completion of a remarkable piece of infrastructure. He said it was a celebration of vision, partnership and shared purpose between Lesotho and South Africa.
He recalled that when the two countries embarked on Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, they understood that they were not merely building structures of concrete and steel. They were building a bridge of opportunity.
He said the project connects communities, strengthens regional integration and advances economic growth for both countries.
Construction of the Senqu Bridge started in 2023 and was completed in February 2026. It is the largest of the three major bridges built under Phase II and was opened to traffic at the end.
