Koffiefontein

Koffiefontein is a small sheep farming town in the Free State province of South Africa. The area was a coffee stop for many transport riders in the 19th century until one of the riders discovered a diamond, and a town grew rapidly. The diamond mine established by De Beers in the early 1900s was closed down in 2004 or 2005.Fact|date=November 2007 The name means "coffee fountain" in Afrikaans.

Although the mine and supporting businesses employ a large number of the local population, the area is still characterised by poverty. Census data indicate that 57% of the Koffiefontein population are below the poverty line. [http://www.debeersgroup.com/debeersweb/Diamond+Journey/De+Beers+Global+Operations/De+Beers+Mines/Koffiefontein.htm Short overview Koffiefontein by De Beers] ]

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