South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and His Majesty King Letsie III are scheduled to officially launch the Senqu Bridge on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. This landmark event marks the completion of the largest bridge in the R53 billion Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Phase II, a critical venture for regional water security and economic integration.
The R2.4 billion structure towers 90 meters above the valley floor and stretches 825 meters in length. It serves as a vital replacement for the existing crossing, which is destined to be submerged as the Polihali Dam reservoir fills. By maintaining the national A1 route, the bridge ensures that the Mokhotlong district remains connected to the capital, Maseru, and essential trade routes like Sani Pass.
According to a statement from South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the inauguration represents a "testament to the enduring partnership and close cooperation" between the two nations. The project is designed to increase water transfer capacity to South Africa's Integrated Vaal River System from 780 million to 1,270 million cubic meters annually, while simultaneously boosting Lesotho’s hydropower output.
The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) will formally hand over the bridge to the Government of Lesotho during the ceremony. Officials have described the bridge as a "legacy infrastructure asset" that facilitates tourism and fisheries while safeguarding the mobility of local communities. The launch follows the unveiling of a Tunnel Boring Machine earlier this week by the water ministers of both countries, signalling steady progress on the 38-kilometer transfer tunnel that will eventually link the Polihali and Katse reservoirs.