New bridge helps cement Lesotho as water lifeline for South Africa’s economic hub

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — For every glass of water or a shower taken in Gauteng, South Africa's most populous province that includes Johannesburg, there is a 60% chance the water came from its small neighbor, the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.

A newly built bridge launched this week is part of a network of constructions that will help the landlocked nation, cited by the World Bank as one of the poorest in the world, nearly double its water exports to South Africa to power one of Africa's biggest industrial and economic hubs. It will also boost the water royalties and revenue for a country where half the population lives under the national poverty line.

The Senqu Bridge, 825 meters (2,700 feet) long and 90 meters (295 feet) high, is part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project that will increase water exports to South Africa from 780 million cubic meters a year currently to more 1,270 billion cubic meters.

The bridge goes over the reservoir behind the Polihali Dam, ensuring continuous movement once the water levels have risen. The construction of the dam is not yet complete.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is one of the biggest transboundary water projects in the world and it is the largest investment South Africa has ever made outside its borders. It also boosts Lesotho’s hydropower output, advancing energy security and reducing the country’s reliance on electricity imports.

The total cost of the project is currently estimated at over 53 billion rands ($3.2 billion), with over 120 kilometers (75 miles) of tunnels that channel water from Lesotho's mountainous regions into South Africa's river systems. Its first phase began in 1990, as a result of a 1986 treaty between the two countries, and it is currently in its second phase that is estimated to be completed between 2028 and 2029.

The 2.4 billion-rand ($144-million) bridge, the largest of the three bridges that support water infrastructure in the northeastern part of the country, has been lauded as an engineering achievement for Lesotho, rising more than 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level.

“South Africa is a water-scarce country and the waters of Lesotho’s highlands are vital to our country’s development. We remain forever grateful to the great Basotho nation for making water resources available to us,” South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa said during the launch of the bridge.

The construction of the bridge created about 1,200 jobs, mostly for Lesotho residents. The government last year declared a state of economic emergency after the unemployment rate hit about 30%.

“The royalties and infrastructure that flow from this project are not incidental benefits. They are central to our development finance strategy,” said Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane.

Some of the construction still pending includes a 38-kilometer (23-mile) tunnel connecting the Polihali and Katse reservoirs.

“The project must deepen impact on the people, strengthen accountability in delivery and ensure that its benefits are not abstract but are felt in the daily lives of the people affected,” Matekane said.

The country's economic woes have been worsened by trade tariffs of up to 50% imposed by the United States, the biggest importer of Lesotho's textile and mining products. It has also been at the receiving end of massive U.S. foreign aid cuts which were funding most of its health programs.

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This photo provided by the South African Government Communications and Information Services (GCIS), shows the Senqu Bridge in Mokhotlong, Lesotho, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (Elmond Jiyane/South African Government Communication and Information Services via AP)

In this photo provided by the South African Government Communications and Information Services (GCIS), King of Lesotho Letsie III, left, shakes hand with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa following the official opening of the Senqu Bridge in Mokhotlong, Lesotho, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (Elmond Jiyane/South African Government Communication and Information Services via AP)

In this photo provided by the South African Government Communications and Information Services (GCIS), King of Lesotho Letsie III, left, shakes hand with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa following the official opening of the Senqu Bridge in Mokhotlong, Lesotho, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (Elmond Jiyane/South African Government Communication and Information Services via AP)

This photo provided by the South African Government Communications and Information Services (GCIS), shows the Senqu Bridge in Mokhotlong, Lesotho, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (Elmond Jiyane/South African Government Communication and Information Services via AP)

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lamine Yamal will miss the rest of Barcelona’s season but should be healed from a leg injury in time to play for Spain at the World Cup, the club said on Thursday.

Barcelona said 18-year-old Yamal will miss the remaining six La Liga games for the leaders as he follows a “conservative treatment” process to heal a muscle injury in his left leg that he picked up on Wednesday while converting a penalty in a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo.

The club added in a statement that its doctors “foresee that (Yamal) will be available for the World Cup.”

Yamal is supposed to make his World Cup debut this summer. Spain's campaign starts against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta.

“This injury sidelines me just when I most wanted to be on the field,” Yamal wrote in an Instagram post. “It hurts that I won't be fighting alongside my teammates. But I believe in them and know that they will give it their all in every game.”

Yamal has emerged as one of the world’s top players since making his Barcelona debut at a record-breaking 15 years old. He helped to lead Spain to the 2024 European Championship and is a major reason why Luis de la Fuente’s team is among the favorites this summer thanks to his dribbling, creativity and ability to both score and set up teammates.

Yamal went down after he scored the winner against Celta in the 40th minute and immediately looked to the bench to signal he was hurt. He dropped to the ground as his teammates arrived to celebrate, then appeared to grab the back of his left leg.

Yamal left the field on his own after being attended by doctors. He talked briefly with coach Hansi Flick on the sidelines before walking into the locker room tunnel by himself.

Barcelona leads Real Madrid by nine points with two more rounds before they meet at Camp Nou on May 10.

Barcelona will start its run-in without Yamal on Saturday when it visits Getafe. Flick could replace Yamal on the right side with winger Roony Bardghji or mix up his front line and play with an extra midfielder.

Yamal leads Barcelona in scoring (24) and assists (18) across all competitions.

“This is not over. This is just a pause,” Yamal wrote in his social media post. “I will come back stronger and more motivated than ever and next season will be even better.”

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Barcelona's Lamine Yamal lies on the pitch in pain during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Celta Vigo in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)