TRC celebrates International Water Day at Marakabei

The Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) celebrated the International Water Day Celebration 2010 at Marakabei on Friday 19th March, 2010 . The international event is organised by TRC in conjunction with her partners, the Lesotho Highlands Water Project , the Ministry of Natural Resources , the Water Commission and the communities where TRC is working. The International Water Day is celebrated worldwide on March 14, but TRC has decided to celebrate it on the 19th March, 2010 .

The Theme of the water day was: ‘Access to Water and Sanitation- Challenges in the Rural Communities'. Prior to the International Water Day, on the 18th March , there was a tour of the Mohale Dam by Polihali and Metolong communities. The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority gave a brief account of up-to-date developments within the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

The Water Day was solemnised by various activities such as a public campaign that took place at Marakabei, where villagers were engaged on cleaning the environment. There was a 2km fun walk from the Marakabei Bridge to the Marakabei Pitso ground, speeches by Government Ministers, Non-governmental Organizations and Parastatals and communities as well as traditional dances such as Mokhibo and Ntlamo/Mohobelo dances.

Communities that had attended expressed their dissatisfaction with the manner the LHWP had conducted its affairs with regard to compensation of relocated people. Communities from Lehlakeng community submitted their letter of complaint Mr Richard Ramoeletsi who is Field Operations Branch Manager in the Mohale area. Among others, the Lehlakeng communities complained about the setbacks of the development since the LHDA came into operation. They complained that their access to water since the water project came has since diminished. They said they were accessing other natural resources such as sand and wood, but those have since been gnawed away by the LHWP.

Other communities that also submitted their complaints to the LHDA are Koma-Koma that complained about lack of access to some natural resources that they enjoyed before but has since diminished since the coming into effect of the LHWP.

The Ombudsman expressed satisfaction TRC was working hand in glove with the LHWP. This he said had fended off the earlier perceptions that the two were at polar ends and that conflict and tension was natural. He also said that it fended off the negative perception about TRC that it was against developments brought about by the LHWP.

TRC celebrated the International Water Day last year in Hloahloeng in Mohale's Hoek, while the one for the previous year was celebrated in Polihali Mokhotlong. TRC works in the mega water projects to advance a course of action to stimulate policy makers to be responsive and sensitive to the needs and aspirations of the rural communities when implementing these projects. Through its Environment and Water for Justice Programme, TRC advocates for justice on water and environmental issues that affect communities in Lesotho.