Assess the physical and human impacts of the highland water scheme on South Africa and Lesotho.

        An education programme was also established. A Rural Skills Training Centre was built at Thaba Tseka Rural Development Centre, in the heart of the Lesotho highlands. Here the affected communities have received skills training in the areas that have equipped them with the necessary skills to start their own enterprises in the rural villages; although start-up capital through a credit facility that was in the original plans is not yet in place; however, the communities benefit from the acquired training which qualifies them for employment opportunities in the project’s construction sites.

        Watershed management had to also be delt with. A major area of activity for this program involved rehabilitation of construction areas, where such rehabilitation had not been included as part of construction contracts specifications, or was neglected through poor engineering supervision. Other planned activities under the watershed management program, such as measurements of rates of sedimentation of the reservoirs and monitoring of soil erosion, were not implemented; after a decision to forestall that program and implement a soil and water conservation program, with emphasis on community participation. This was considered to be more cost effective, and would enhance chances for sustainable development on a long term basis.

        Infrastructure programmes creating town halls and improving social life were common in many rural areas and the development in tourism was also contributed.

        From an environmentalists point of view nature reserves were enforced in a dozen areas and gardens were created at Katse. Some rare plants affected were transported to other suitable locations.        

        The government of Lesotho made clear from the start that their heritage was an important port of their communities. Therefore due to the fact that Lesotho has rich palaeontological and archaeological heritage, continuous inspection for fossils, and retrieval of archaeological artifacts during construction and tunnelling works were undertaken, and the material stored for display in the pre-history archaeological museum centre, to be established at the Muela Tourism Information Centre which is part of the "Enviro- Park".

        National benefits for Lesotho are also worth mentioning. They are gaining a steady income of 20 million US dollars per year in the form of royalties and revenue. Over 70 million US dollars were received due to labour costs and resources used whilst constructing the scheme. The increase of water in South Africa has meant a large proportion of the Lesotho labour force have gained long term employment.

        The gains that South Africa has received are clear. Huge resource on continuous water that have boosted mining and industry in Johannesburg especially. The economy has more employment that ever and a growth never seen in South Africa since the industrial revolution. Many houses have now plumbing fitted which didn’t have before and water is affordable. The standard of living has improved as basic indoor and outdoor taps have been fitted with means to wash in your own home and therefore less disease.

        OF course in some areas the lives of people have been negatively affected by the project. Some communities now have to travel further for appointments due to flooded valleys. Some of the land lost has harmed some farmers much more than others and land given is unsuitable for theirs needs. The resettlement of family’s from homes that has been lived in in some cases for generations left a mental scar that could not be cured only replaced. Replacements were met in a professional and aesthetic manner compensation packages and money were handed out accordingly. These cases are rare and have little reason to doubt the success of the highland water project.

        However a major concern of the projects critisers is time. How will the project stand up in 10, 15 years time? Will the land now used for grazing and arable farming withstand the new pressure? Will and dams be able to cope with years of deposition and most of all will the project be enough for the people of South Africa or is it merely delaying the inevitable. For the project to be a success it must withstand the 85 years life span it has been given before improvements are set to be made and not until the end of that will anyone be able to state with certainty the worth while of this project.

        One of the passages from the treaty in October of 86 is below and has been upholded by all parties involved it reads; "The Parties agree to take all reasonable measures to ensure that the implementation, operation, and maintenance of the project are compatible with the protection of the existing quality of the environment and, in particular, shall pay due regard to the maintenance of the welfare of the people and communities immediately affected by the project." Amen.