Trans boundary water issue in South Africa and Lesotho - Case Study Flashcards
LHWP
Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
Water deficit
When there is not a great enough supply of water to meet demand (e.g. in the West of South Africa).
World Bank
An international (global) financial organisation which can give loans to countries in need.
Trans boundary
Across a border between two countries.
Sustainable
Meeting people’s needs today without putting future generations at risk.
Location of the Republic of South Africa
The Southern tip of the African continent, South of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, 1000km South West of Madagascar.
Location of Lesotho
In South Africa, 300km South of Johannesburg, 300km North of East London, 100km to the West of Durban on the East coast of South Africa.
Why is water deficit happening?
Rainfall is not evenly distributed in RSA and Lesotho. The East coast receives higher rainfall than the West. Lesotho gets 1000mm per year, the West gets less than 300mm. There is a water deficit in the West, supply does not meet demand. The West has high demand due to high industry and population.
Aims of LHWP
Water management scheme. Moves water from Lesotho to parts of South Africa, like Johannesburg. Building six dams, like the Katse dam, in Lesotho and 200km of tunnels to transfer water into the River Vaal in South Africa. They hope to move on from being one of the world’s poorest countries by selling water in this way.
Lesotho GNI
US$590 per person
Lesotho unemployment
50%
Advantage of LHWP
Use dams for hydroelectric power.
People who will benefit from LHWP
The government benefits from a cheap supply of energy. Environmentalists favour HEP as it creates less air pollution than fossil fuels. Locals and businesses benefit from improved roads that have been constructed to gain access to the six dam sites. Job seekers benefit from new jobs created by the LHWP.
People who will suffer from LHWP
Locals relocated due to flooding of valleys by dam building, inadequate compensation given, influx of job seekers has increased crime and disease. LHWP flooded thousands of hectares of farmland, threatening the country’s food supply. People of South Africa’s water bills increased before receiving water, to repair leaks. Environmentalists concerned about the lack of water down stream because of the dams, threaten wetland habitats and wildlife including many endangered species.
How many people were displaced by the Katse dam?
20000 people
