Flood-hit Kambaku 2 slowly rebuilding
Kambaku 2 Boat Safaris and Lodge is rebuilding after January floods submerged its facilities while a dispute emerges over floodgate operations.
PHALABORWA – Kambaku 2 Boat Safaris and Lodge says it is slowly picking up the pieces following the devastating January floods.
Owner Brenda du Plessis told the Herald that the business plans to continue operating its boat services, as these were not damaged when the Olifants River burst its banks.
The family also hopes to open a small restaurant to help them get back on their feet.
Fundraising campaign gains limited traction
“We are grateful for the BackaBuddy fundraising campaign, but at the moment it is moving slowly and has reached only 44% of the R500 000 target,” said Du Plessis. “For now, we are still busy cleaning up the mud and repairing broken glass and other damaged items. Accommodation operations remain on hold.”
To help Kambaku, go to their BackaBuddy campaign here.
Du Plessis said her family is thankful for the volunteers who have come forward to help with the clean-up efforts.
“The Hervormde Kerk has been amazing. They have helped us with food parcels, which we also share with our employees, and they assist wherever they can,” she said.
The family lost their business when their boat, restaurant, bar, and accommodation facilities were completely submerged during the floods.
Allegations over sluice operations
Du Plessis believes the damage could have been prevented if Lepelle Northern Water (LNW) had opened the barrage sluices on the Olifants River.
“We asked LNW to open the sluices so that the water could flow away instead of rising as it did. Only eight of the 22 sluices were working, and we believe that is why we were flooded,” she said. “In 2000, we experienced similar flooding, but we were not affected because the sluices were open.”
LNW rejects claims
The Herald asked LNW spokesperson Joe Makhafula for comment. He said the allegations were unfounded.
“Barrage floodgate operations are strictly regulated through a standard operating procedure, commonly referred to as an operations and maintenance manual or
gate operation schedule,” Makhafula said.
“These guidelines are designed to ensure structural integrity, effective flood management, and optimal water control by prescribing the timing, method, and sequence for opening or closing gates in response to upstream and downstream water levels, weather forecasts, and prevailing hydraulic conditions.”
