In October 2019, global engineering, design and advisory company Aurecon celebrates thirty years of continuous presence in Lesotho, following many periods of intermittent involvement in Lesotho stretching back to the 1950’s.
From the feasibility studies proceeding the mammoth Lesotho Highlands Water Project to world-class bridges and buildings, as well as corporate social initiatives, Aurecon is proud to be firmly established in an African country committed to making its infrastructure and resources future ready.
The Lesotho Highland Water Project (LHWP) is one of the largest ongoing development projects in the world and the award-winning, multibillion Rand, bi-national project is widely regarded as an African success story.
Aurecon has played various key roles in the project since its inception six decades ago. Phase 1 comprised the major water transfer and hydropower components involving the construction of tunnels and dams, including the iconic 185 metre-high Katse Dam, designed to divert water from the Senqu (Orange) River to the Ash River in South Africa.
In 2005, a Phase 2 feasibility study was undertaken in two stages aimed at identifying further development options and investigating the preferred option in detail, which culminated in the recommendation of the Polihali Dam and transfer tunnel for implementation.
Aurecon is currently a member of the MSKC Joint Venture responsible for the design and construction supervision of the Polihali Diversion Tunnels and the Polihali Transfer Tunnel. Aurecon has also been appointed to design and supervise construction of the Polihali major road bridges.
In 2006, the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) named the LHWP as the Most Outstanding Engineering Achievement of the Century.
Other notable projects that Aurecon has completed in Lesotho include the Mokhotlong to Sani Pass Road project , which won the 2016 South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE) and South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC) award for Transportation Engineering Project of the Year; the Lesotho Lowlands Water Development Project Phase II , which contributes to a sustainable water supply for around 15% of the country’s population; a number of striking commercial buildings including the Vodacom Head Office in Lesotho, as well as a project that overhauled the country’s health care infrastructure.
Aurecon has forged strong ties with Lesotho and its people. In 2018, the company started to support Kick 4 Life, a football charity that has since grown to establish a football club that is exclusively focused on social change.