Libuseng Theresia Kolobe

Professional Summary

Mosotho hydrogeologist and groundwater resources professional specializing in groundwater exploration, aquifer assessment, borehole siting and development, groundwater monitoring, pumping tests, drilling supervision, hydrogeological data analysis, groundwater quality, GIS, geophysics, and sustainable groundwater management. She holds an MSc in Geohydrology and a BSc Honours in Geohydrology from the University of the Free State, supported by a Cum Laude BSc in Geology and Geography. Her MSc research critically evaluated geophysical methods used for groundwater exploration in South Africa, while her Honours research examined the feasibility of artificial recharge in fractured-rock aquifers. In professional practice, she plans and conducts hydrogeological surveys, performs hydrocensus and borehole siting, prepares lithological logs, supervises drilling and borehole development, conducts pumping tests, collects and analyses groundwater data, and prepares technical reports. Her experience with the Department of Water Affairs, Government of Lesotho included groundwater monitoring, aquifer assessment, borehole sampling, groundwater potential and quality evaluation, community engagement, groundwater conservation and drilling supervision. Her professional interests include climate impacts on groundwater, groundwater modelling, groundwater quality, contaminant hydrogeology, artificial recharge, sustainable groundwater management, GIS, environmental remediation and isotope applications in water resources.

Key Expertise

Major Projects and Contributions

• Junior Hydrogeologist – Morethetho Construction
  Plans and conducts hydrogeological surveys for groundwater development projects in Lesotho. Responsibilities include borehole siting, hydrocensus, lithological logging, sample collection, drilling supervision, pumping tests, borehole development, groundwater data collection and analysis, technical report writing, project planning and execution, team coordination, and maintenance of records and databases for completed groundwater works.
• Groundwater Monitoring and Aquifer Assessment – Department of Water Affairs, Lesotho
  Supported groundwater resource management as an Intern Hydrogeologist and volunteer staff member with the Department of Water Affairs, Government of Lesotho. Activities included groundwater monitoring, hydrogeological data collection and analysis, aquifer assessment, borehole sampling, evaluation of groundwater potential and quality, drilling supervision, technical reporting, and support for evidence-based water resource management decisions.
• Community Groundwater Needs Assessment and Conservation Support
  Engaged with local communities to assess water needs, promote groundwater conservation and support sustainable utilization of groundwater resources. The work linked technical hydrogeology with community water security, local groundwater management and practical field-based decision-making.
• Groundwater Exploration and Borehole Siting for Drought Relief in Mafeteng District
  Worked as part of a technical team that tested and sited multiple boreholes in Mafeteng District, Lesotho, as part of a drought-relief programme. The work supported identification of groundwater sources for improving water access in drought-affected communities.
• Thaka Banna Water Relief Project – Hydrogeology Contribution
  Contributed to the Thaka Banna Water Relief Project as a hydrogeologist, supporting groundwater investigation and technical activities aimed at improving access to reliable water resources for communities facing water-supply challenges.
• SADC-GMI Sustainable Rural Water Supply Project
  Worked as a project assistant on a SADC Groundwater Management Institute initiative supporting the construction of sustainable rural water supply systems. Her contribution connected groundwater assessment and regional groundwater management approaches with practical rural water-supply development.
• SADC-GMI Groundwater Monitoring Systems Project
  Contributed as project assistant to work related to groundwater monitoring systems under SADC-GMI-supported activities, strengthening groundwater data collection, monitoring, resource assessment and long-term evidence-based groundwater management.
• Sustainable Groundwater Management Through Participatory Approaches
  Participated in a SADC-GMI competitive grant project focused on sustainable groundwater management through participatory approaches. The work emphasized the connection between technical groundwater science, stakeholder participation, local resource stewardship and sustainable water management.
• MSc Research – Geophysical Methods for Groundwater Exploration in South Africa
  Conducted MSc research appraising geophysical methods used for groundwater exploration in South Africa. The study critically reviewed groundwater exploration techniques across different geological environments and developed recommendations on suitable geophysical methods, with attention to improving technical success and reducing groundwater exploration costs in Southern Africa.
• Artificial Recharge in Fractured-Rock Aquifers
  Completed BSc Honours research examining the feasibility of artificial recharge in fractured-rock aquifers. The research supports professional interests in aquifer recharge, groundwater storage, managed aquifer recharge, fractured-rock hydrogeology and long-term groundwater resource security.
• Groundwater Modelling, Hydrochemistry and Aquifer Analysis
  Developed advanced technical competence through geohydrology training in groundwater hydraulics, hydrochemistry and pollution, groundwater modelling, groundwater geophysics, mining geohydrology, hydrology and groundwater management. Uses specialist tools including MODFLOW, FEFLOW, PHREEQC, Pdyke, WISH, RES2MOD and RES2INV for groundwater assessment, modelling and interpretation.
• GIS-Based Groundwater and Environmental Assessment
  Applies ArcGIS and QGIS to groundwater assessment, spatial analysis, geological and hydrogeological mapping, environmental evaluation and water resources planning. Her combined background in geohydrology, geography and spatial analysis supports integrated groundwater investigation and environmental decision-making.
• Groundwater and Climate Resilience Professional Development
  Completed professional development in Integrated Water Resources Management for Climate Resilience, the Water-Energy-Food Nexus, groundwater monitoring instrumentation, environmental and social safeguards, and integrity in water and sanitation. These areas support her broader work in sustainable groundwater management, climate resilience and water security.
• SADC-GMI Young Professionals Winter School
  Participated in the inaugural SADC-GMI Young Professionals Winter School in 2025, strengthening regional knowledge exchange and professional development in groundwater management, hydrogeology and sustainable water resources development across Southern Africa.