– Eswatini champions Africa’s unity in sustainable water development
BY MBONGENI NDLELA
LESOTHO – Prime Minister, Russell Mmiso Dlamini, has praised Lesotho’s King Letsie III for his visionary leadership in promoting sustainable water management, describing his recent Presidential Global Water-Maker Award as a triumph for both Lesotho and the entire African continent.
Speaking at the National Celebration in Maseru to honour King Letsie III’s achievement, Prime Minister Dlamini, representing His Majesty King Mswati III, delivered a message of solidarity and pride, affirming Eswatini’s unwavering commitment to regional cooperation on water and climate resilience.
“This award signifies visionary leadership in advancing water security and regional cooperation through the Lesotho Highlands Water Project,” said the Prime Minister. “It is a beacon of excellence and a model of effective collaboration across borders.”
Water as a Catalyst for Africa’s Progress
The Prime Minister highlighted that more than half of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population still lacks access to safe drinking water, making initiatives like Lesotho’s Highlands Water Project essential in driving the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
He noted that the project exemplifies how nations can share resources responsibly while promoting peace, socio-economic growth, and environmental protection.
“Sustainable water investments are key to accelerating industrialisation, food security, and climate adaptation,” he said. “This is a call for solidarity, equality, and sustainability, values that King Letsie III’s leadership has long embodied.”
Eswatini’s Commitment to Regional Cooperation
Dlamini reaffirmed Eswatini’s dedication to the principles of the SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourses and the SADC Water Division’s coordination mechanisms, both of which promote fairness and collaboration in managing transboundary water resources.
He further revealed that Eswatini is finalising the Eswatini Water Investment Programme (EWIP), a transformative national framework supported by the African Union, Global Water Partnership, Southern Africa, and the Green Climate Fund.
The initiative aims to accelerate water infrastructure investment and boost climate resilience, drawing inspiration from Lesotho’s balanced approach between national development and regional solidarity.
A Shared Celebration of Progress
The celebration also marked the 39th anniversary of the Lesotho Highlands Water Treaty, a historic partnership between Lesotho and South Africa. Prime Minister Dlamini commended Lesotho for maintaining the project’s integrity and for ensuring that water remains a tool for unity, peace, and prosperity across the SADC region.
“Your Majesty, this award is a source of pride not only for the Kingdom of Lesotho but also for the entire SADC family,” he said. “It reflects our collective progress towards ensuring that water, our most vital resource, serves as an instrument of unity and sustainable development.”
A Vision for a Water-Secure Africa
Closing his remarks, Dlamini extended heartfelt congratulations to King Letsie III and the Basotho Nation, expressing optimism that this recognition will inspire more African countries to pursue innovative, cooperative solutions to water challenges.
“May this award continue to inspire our nations to work together in building a water-secure and prosperous Africa,” he concluded. “Khotso, Pula, Nala — Peace, Rain, Prosperity.”
