King Letsie III Honored with Global Water Changemakers Award for Lesotho Highlands Water Project Leadership

King Letsie III Receives Prestigious Global Water Award

His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho was honored with the prestigious Presidential Global Water Changemakers Award at a ceremony held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the 'Manthabiseng Convention Centre in Maseru. The award was presented by Botswana Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Onneetse Ramogapi, on behalf of the Global Water Partnership (GWP) and the President of Botswana, who chairs the Award Committee. This recognition celebrates King Letsie III's visionary leadership in advancing water security and regional cooperation through the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP).

Championing Transboundary Water Cooperation

The award specifically acknowledges King Letsie III's pivotal role in championing the Lesotho Highlands Water Project as a model for peace, resilience, and sustainable development in Southern Africa. The LHWP, a bi-national initiative between the governments of Lesotho and South Africa, is recognized as Africa's largest water transfer scheme. Established by a treaty in 1986, the project harnesses the water resources of the Lesotho highlands to provide water to South Africa's Gauteng region and generate hydroelectricity for Lesotho. Phase I of the project was completed in 2003, and Phase II is currently underway, involving the construction of dams and tunnels, including the Katse Dam and the upcoming Polihali Dam.

The Global Water Partnership and Regional Impact

The Global Water Partnership (GWP), an international network founded in 1996, aims to foster an integrated approach to water resources management. With over 3,000 partner organizations in 179 countries, GWP's mission is to support the sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels. The award to King Letsie III underscores Lesotho's vital role as the Southern African Development Community (SADC)'s water engine and highlights the project's success in fostering diplomatic ties and economic stability. The ceremony also coincided with the 39th anniversary of the Lesotho Highlands Water Treaty, a landmark agreement that has laid the foundation for enduring regional partnership.

A Legacy of Sustainable Development

In his acceptance speech, King Letsie III stated that he accepted the award 'on behalf of all Basotho, partners in Lesotho Highlands Water Project, stakeholders who worked to bring this dream to live and believed in power of collaboration.' He further thanked the Global Water Partnership for recognizing Lesotho's contribution to the continental water agenda, affirming that Lesotho stands ready to deepen collaboration to strengthen water supply. The award, initially announced at the AU-AIP Africa Water Investment Summit in Cape Town in August 2025, positions Lesotho as a key player in achieving continental water goals and offers a blueprint for transboundary water cooperation.