This year saw South Africa launching many major infrastructure projects. In this two part article we will take a look at some of them.
De Hoop Dam
President Jacob Zuma officially opened the R3 billion, 347-million cubic metre De Hoop Dam in Sekhukhune, Limpopo province in March this year. Built on the Steelpoort River, with a wall approximately 1 015 metres long and 81 metres high, the De Hoop Dam is the 13th largest dam in South Africa and one of the largest to be built in the country in the last 20 years. Two new pipelines were constructed from Jane Furse to Lobethalto catering to the villages of Ga-Mashabela, Diphagane, Ga-Phahla,Ga-Marishane, Tisane and Mamone, and from Mooihoek to Tubatse.Lesotho Highlands Water Project- Phase 2
South Africa and Lesotho launched the R11.2 billion second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project in March this year. The project, which is expected to be completed by 2023, aims to generate hydro-electric power for Lesotho while increasing the volume of water transferred to South Africa from the current 10 billion to about 15 billion cubic metres a year. The second phase will involve building the Polihali Dam in the Mokhotlong district, which is located in the north eastern part of Lesotho. A new tunnel will also be built from Polihali Dam to Katse Dam, along with new hydropower features and other advanced infrastructure.
