ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) as a hydro-security complex (HSC) to see if water regimes constitute regional integration, a contested view in literature. Turton analysed the dynamics of water conflict and cooperation through this lens, labelling relations within such a complex 'securitized' or 'desecuritized' – conflictive or non-conflictive. In 1978, the Planning Division of South Africa's Department of Water Affairs (DWA) produced an internal report, recommending that South Africa see the Upper Orange as a water source for the Vaal. Both states agreed to revive the LHWP, although they still disagreed on some issues. In the past South Africa has displayed hegemonic aspirations by representing its water interest as the regional interest. The DWA appointed consulting engineers to conduct desktop studies. Afterwards, South Africa reopened discussions with Lesotho and the two countries agreed on a joint preliminary feasibility investigation. Each country needed to appoint its own consultants, directed by a Joint Technical Committee (JTC).
