Kamfers Dam

About Kamfers Dam

Kamfers Dam is a 400-hectare permanent wetland located just north of Kimberley in the Northern Cape that serves as one of only four primary breeding sites in Africa for the Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor). Originally a seasonal pan, the site transformed into a perennial water body due to urban runoff and municipal wastewater discharge, prompting the construction of a specialized S-shaped artificial breeding island in 2006 that successfully supported tens of thousands of nesting birds.

However, the ecosystem has faced a severe environmental crisis caused by the chronic influx of untreated sewage from the poorly maintained Homevale Wastewater Treatment Works, which raised water levels, submerged the breeding island, and triggered outbreaks of avian botulism. This ongoing ecological degradation led to a 2025 Northern Cape High Court structural interdict ordering the Sol Plaatje Municipality to repair its infrastructure, though the site remains a critical and closely monitored focus for international conservation groups like BirdLife South Africa.