lesotho case study

• describe Lesotho's location geographically

  • landlocked country in the south of Africa
  • Surrounded by South Africa
• what's Lesotho's HDI index rank?

  164th (out of 189)
• what's Lesotho's life expectancy?

  51 years
• what's Lesotho's topography?


  mountainous
• what percentage of Lesotho's population are employed?

  51% have a job
• what type of country is Lesotho?

  developing
• what are some problems in Lesotho that limit its' development?

  • faces frequent dry spells -> can lead to droughts and food shortages -> can lead to famine
  • its' government and politics are still developing -> impacts economy's growth -> makes Lesotho a developING country not developED
  • one of the worlds worst 20% countries for wealth inequality -> some of the pop benefit from diamond mining and some remain unemployed and in poverty
• what did Lesotho's government do in 2004?


  decided to trade surplus water with neighbouring South Africa to improve its' economy and development
• what does the Lesotho highland water project involve?

  • 40% of the water from the river Segu will be transferred to the Vaal river which supplies Johannesburg
  • it involves large construction of: dams, reservoirs, pipelines, etc.
  • it will take 30 years to build the transfer scheme sp Lesotho is yet to see the benefits of the scheme
• what are the advantages for Lesotho?

  • largest transfer scheme in Africa
  • will boost Lesotho's economy by 75%
  • dams can provide hydroelectric power -> which Lesotho's towns can use
  • improved roads and infrastructure alongside pipelines
• what are the disadvantages for Lesotho?

  • 30,000 residents have already been forced out of their homes to build dams and reservoirs
  • wetlands (part of Lesotho's natural water cycle) have been destroyed to build the dam
• what are the advantages for South Africa?

  • water can be brought to Johannesburg's growing population, stopping any dehydration and improving sanitation
  • clean water is counteracting the pollution and sewage polluting the river Vaal -> could impact locals' health
• what are the disadvantages for South Africa?

  • South Africa has to pay for their water
  • there could be inequality and corruption -> meaning the poorest families may not be able to afford clean water
• even though the Lesotho Highland Project is still under construction, plans for a 2nd transfer scheme from Lesotho to Botswana have been agreed. This could see a rise in Lesotho's political power and economy in the next few decades