By BAKANG MOKOTO
11 October 2026 – The Potchefstroom Dam is a man-made earth-fill reservoir on the Mooi River located on the northern boundary of Potchefstroom in the North West province, South Africa. Originally built around 1908 (historically referred to as the Compensation Dam) to supply water to local settlements and the experimental farm.
Owned by the Department of Water and Sanitation, with day-to-day maintenance and management falling under the local municipality. It was historically a major local hub for camping, caravans, fishing, boating, and featured an Olympic-size swimming pool.
The recreational facilities have fallen into severe disrepair and neglect, leading local groups and the North-West University (NWU) to propose taking over management to restore the site and support international athletes. Just a short distance away on the Mooi River is Boskop Dam, which offers birdwatching, fishing, and a nature reserve with wildlife like zebra and blesbok.
