In Lesotho, a tiny landlocked country in Southern Africa, water is a crucial issues. Though its one the poorest countries in the world, Lesotho plays a vital role for its richer and bigger neighbor, South Africa. It’s located in the mountains, and several important rivers rise from here – a lifeline for the entire region. In recent decades, huge dams were built that are pumping water to South Africa.
Without the imported water, South Africa’s economic center around Johannesburg would be left high and dry. So it sounds like a win-win: South Africa pays millions in water fees to its neighbor every year and Lesotho generates electricity from hydropower.
But for locals, the project is controversial, and ecologists are raising the alarm as well.
This report is part of the Riffreporter project 'Countdown Natur' and was supported by the European Journalism Center.
(Report: Leonie March / Presenter: Ineke Mules)