Let justice roll down like waters. Faith-based advocacy and water for all. Maseru, Lesotho. 21-25 April 2008
- Katse Dam in Lesotho, Africa (Photo by Christian Wörtz)
In Lesotho, one of the main issues in the context of water management is the construction of big dams to make possible large-scale water transfers. It is clear that this is a policy option which is growing in importance all over Africa. It is promoted as a way to provide water and energy for much needed economic development. However, the history of dam-building shows that such large-scale projects often have considerable negative impacts on affected communities and on the environment.
The workshop focused on the case of Lesotho to illustrate and discuss the need for policies that prioritize human development and sustainable development. It looked into how the human rights of vulnerable and marginalized groups can be promoted and protected.
NOW ONLINE: Conference Report (pdf)
About the conference (pdf)
Program (pdf)
Papers and Presentations
Under the Spell of the Heart's Musings: Towards a Responsible Ecological Stewardship. Keynote address by Paul Leshota, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, National University of Lesotho. (pdf, 120kb)
Dams in Southern Africa: From a faith-based perspective. Presentation by Francis Ng'ambi, EJN FOCCISA South Africa. (pdf, 130kb)
Ecological Debt Dams on the Zambezi River a source of Ecological Debt for the people of Mozambique. By Francis Ng'ambi, EJN FOCCISA South Africa. (pdf, 374kb)
The Policies and Politics of Dams in Africa. Presentation by Kugonza N. Robert Akiiki, Coordinator African Rivers Network (ARN) Secretariat at NAPE, Uganda. (pdf, 36kb)
Dams in Lesotho. By Mr. Monaheng Mahlakeng, Survivors of Lesotho Dams (SOLD). (pdf, 18kb)
DAMS IN LESOTHO- A DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGE! By Mr. Mabusetsa Lenka Thamae, Transformation Resource Center (TRC). (pdf, 31kb)
Lesotho Water and Sanitation Policy, 2007 & IWRM Strategy. Presentation by Lira Molapo, Ministry of Natural Resources. (pdf, 1070kb)
A Rights-Based Approach to Water Issues: Current interpretation and experiences in application. Presentation by Michael Windfuhr, Bread for the World (Germany). (pdf, 336kb)
All rise in Court! The battle against corporate profiteering, corruption and dispossession: Lesotho and Johannesburg at a legal cross roads. By Molefi Mafereka ka Ndlovu. (pdf, 296kb)
Background Resources
Dams and Alternatives:
Spreading the Water Wealth: Making Water Infrastructure Work for the Poor. Dams, Rivers and People Report by International Rivers
Dams and Development: A New Framework for Decision-Making. The Report of the World Commission on Dams.
- Executive Summary (html)
- Final Report fact sheet (html)
- Overview (html or pdf, 160 KB)
On The Wrong Side of Development. Lessons Learned from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Transformation Resource Centre, Lesotho.
Statement of MP Gareth Morgan from the Democratic Alliance on the water crisis in South Africa
Prepaid Water Meters
A pro-poor critique of prepayment water meters in South Africa: The Phiri story. By Jackie Dugard, Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS), University of the Witwatersrand. (html)
