South Africa and Lesotho on Wednesday, April 22 celebrated the opening of the Senqu Bridge, the longest and tallest bridge on the African continent. Measuring 825 meters in length and rising 90 meters above the valley floor on 14 pylons, the R2.4 billion ($146.7 million) structure crosses what will become a reservoir once the Polihali Dam, now under construction, is completed in 2028 or 2029.
“This bridge is an example of what Africa can achieve when it believes in itself and when it works together to advance the interests of its people,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said at the launch ceremony. “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.”