I wish to introduce myself to all of you Oranjemunders and friends , wherever you may be in the world today. I have been a resident of Oranjemund since 1973. I was fully engaged in SWAPO of Namibia, the liberation Organisation.I am also the Chairperson of The Namibian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (NCCI) Oranjemund Branch.
I am passionate about Oranjemund and regard Oranjemund as my home village.
As you are all aware by now, we in Oranjemund are facing very serious times and I have been thinking of numerous major projects to try and sustain our Oranjemund.
I was also wondering if any of you might have any of your own immediate ideas or suggestions to save our beautiful diamond village.
The Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport with the community of Oranjemund have rescued, the recently uncovered Shipwreck, of which the likely hood that a museum will be established at Oranjemund.
It is therefore important that, Oranjemund Village requires an immediate resuscitation.
This is a genuine call that we need action, right now..... time is running out.....
please give me your honest opinion and comments.....
If you wish to visit Oranjemund, please do not hesitate to contact me...
:emot19_2:
Welcome on the board
I also stayed in O-mund as from 1973, novadays i would be called an " Alien " by Nam politicians
As a tourist i prefer beeing called a Guest
I still have a strong interests in Nam and O-Mund
Suggestions
To realize any plans, the first thing required is an open town. Many that like to come to Oranjemund must go over security hurdles.
I see no industrial development having a big chance.....But Diamonds could be cut in town if facilities were installed,
( i doubt that the cutters from Whk like to come here) What about the Semi Precious Stones on the Dumps, no use for them ???
The Kudu Gas project is another view point if a power Station was built in the area
Tourism
Tourism a big hope ( only works with an open town)
Accomodation is very important, Car hire firms. I could see people arriving by plane and continue tours by car......
Camping Facilities at Shepards Neck
Golfing Facility, Fishing, accomodation on the Pink Pan
Use of installations in the mine for overnight stays.
Allowing Tourists to dig in the Dumps for Agates, Jasper and other stones.
Combined Tours to the Ghost Towns Bogenfels up to Lüderitz
Mine Tours
Tours to the Richtersveld become more and more attractive to people
This all dependents on an open town
I have been travelling many times in Nam, i dont plan any more trips for the price politics in National Parks ( i.e. Etosha) althought i wish to visit again. The Nam gvnmt must think we are all millionaires here in Europe.
Lets see other suggestions
Regards Georg
Israel! How are you? Hope you remember me and the old SWAPO days! Cherry
I think tourism as Georj suggest is one of the best bets to sustain Oranjemund.
Tourism plus the secure retirement town ,,, maybe a bit of goodwill required from namdeb to get certain things up and running.. but yes open but not entirely open .. careful vetting to ensure security issues ..
Definately tourism ... and as result an open town as Georg so rghtfully stated. Make it a resort town. A place 'to get away from it all'. Relaxation, sports, desert trips and rallies, touring of the old mine facilities, etc. Our little town has so much potential.
Tourism definitely. If Luderitz can receive passenger liners like these (photo's taken in the last two days), I bet a tour to Oranjemund can be arranged as part of the deal?
Wow, so you must connect the sailing clubs pond to the sea and buid a harbour LOL
Only kidding, the subject is to serious
Dear Israel
There is a hidden wealth beyond comprehension in the Sperrgebeit. First step is to get shot of De Beers and Namdeb. Of the huge returns from diamond mining since 1908, very little has been invested in Nam's economy.A rather shameful situation. The second step is to have repealed the draconian security legislation which has stymied meaningful development in the area for close on 100 years. Third is to establish a company of interested Oranjemunders and ex- Oranjemunders to take control of a venture that will turn Oranjemund on its head and into a hive of commercial activity the likes of which it has never seen before.The prospects are huge; the rewards substantial. If you can get our respected mutual friend in Windhoek interested in meaningful development of Oranjemund and its surrounds, may I courteously suggest you arrange a meeting to discuss concrete proposals.
Kind regards
Gordon
Dear Gordon
If you are such an expert at what should happen why don't you put your money where your mouth is and come back and organise it yourself? Or perhaps you are not allowed back into the country because you were one step ahead of the law for diamond theft? Namdeb actually gives huge amounts for the economy vis a vie tax, share holder divedends and support many many house holds and support many local businesses. For those of us that know the other side of your "story" your two cents does makes entertaining reading. I suggest that you get all your facts right before putting pen to paper. After all you did have to swim across the river to escape back to South Africa right? Conspiricies are good things along with Who shot JFK?
Tate Israel, You know what Namdeb has invested in the Sperrgebiet and how they are really trying to keep every thing going. Keep faith Tate Keep faith, We shall over come.
Quote from: Bradley Eugene on February 19, 2009, 01:32:02 PM
Dear Gordon
If you are such an expert at what should happen why don't you put your money where your mouth is and come back and organise it yourself? Or perhaps you are not allowed back into the country because you were one step ahead of the law for diamond theft? Namdeb actually gives huge amounts for the economy vis a vie tax, share holder divedends and support many many house holds and support many local businesses. For those of us that know the other side of your "story" your two cents does makes entertaining reading. I suggest that you get all your facts right before putting pen to paper. After all you did have to swim across the river to escape back to South Africa right? Conspiricies are good things along with Who shot JFK?
Tate Israel, You know what Namdeb has invested in the Sperrgebiet and how they are really trying to keep every thing going. Keep faith Tate Keep faith, We shall over come.
idontknow
are-you-there However, the fact remain that Oranjemund is in the process of delapidating and deforming to a ghost diamond village. Let us forget the past and focuss the real future. I am here for a better future!
Regards to you all.
IUD .
Welcome Bradley Eugene on our board
Pity you dit not introduce yourself so we know who throws stones at members
We can all say what we think here in limits, you must have reasons for your reactions, may be you will explain that to clear misunderstandings. I am staying far away from our Oranjemund and can not really judge what the status is.
I tend to agree with you on what CDM ( Namdeb) has done on positive things for the town. The Nam Gvnmt and the company have a responsibilty towards the employees and families and i hope some plans for the future will be drafted up.
People, families and their kids are not consumables that can be discarded just for the sake of profits.
I also read negative remarks by politicians in Nam on some of the staff " Aliens" was the word. To me insulting and shows that some people are looking for scape goats to put the blame on.
I live in Germany and know where that can lead to. Hitler blamed all on the Jews and foreigners, we all know what happened after that.
So please dont get me wrong, i just see developments and words that poison the young democracy.
Please introduce yourself, are you an Ex Oranjemund ??? or what are your connections and interests in that lovely town and community.
Regards Georg
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I tried to mail you, it appears its wrong and was returned please change in your profile to the correct adress, if you need help on that, i can change that for you.
So i must post here openly. If this is a sock account i may have to delete since we had lots of "bots" attacking here in the past. I at least have deleted some after i had no reponse to my mails ( Russia, South America, China etc ) Hope you are genuine
For the benefit of the doubt: Welcome Bradley Eugene on our board
Quote from: Israel Kalenga on February 19, 2009, 03:42:50 PM
are-you-there However, the fact remain that Oranjemund is in the process of delapidating and deforming to a ghost diamond village. Let us forget the past and focuss the real future. I am here for a better future!
Regards to you all.
IUD .
:emot112_2:
Well put Israel, lets not be throwing stones and concentrate on the positive.
Oh yes, Bradley....Gordon did not come across as being an expert and regardless of may or may not have happened he mearly gave his input to the Topic which asked for our opinions.
Huh ? what happened here ??
I take one or two quotes and applaud them ... they are Israels
I am passionate about Oranjemund and regard Oranjemund as my home village.
However, the fact remain that Oranjemund is in the process of delapidating and deforming to a ghost diamond village. Let us forget the past and focuss the real future. I am here for a better future!
Regards to you all.
IUD .
Hi Sandy,seems like somebody stirring a hornets nest here,i for one would like to think that somewhere,somehow somebody up high really care for the future of this town,and that they are not going to throw this town for the wolves.Guys like me Mike and Israel are still positive and not running away from it all.this town can be saved,from becoming a ghost town,but decisions must be made drastically,and that unfortunately is not in our hands. Mike are you 36_1_72 again?
Dear Georg
I am a proud Oranjemunder and have been for many years. I love our little town and all it stands for I just HATE the negativity that some people sprout about the two companies that are directly (Namdeb) and indirectly (De Beers) involved. After reading Gordon's story on the forum I had to laugh as he only told all of the forum members his side of the story and one must remember that there are always two sides to a story. He has a serious beef with both companies. But I digress. My aim and many others is to keep this town alive and kicking for the sake of my family and the people that I employ. I love it here and will do any thing in my power to keep going for as long as I can. I am not one of those who left and came back as a contract worker but am a company man and the company has ben good to me and my family and I owe the company for being good to me. Not every body is perfect least of all me and people in glass houses should not throw stones, but Mike's post about a retirement village makes sense and I will be in the queue to sign up and my parents too. The people that were called aliens are the ones keeping the mine alive and going, it is just plain ignorance from some people that are trying to drum up political support who are behind the alien debacle. After all it is an election year here in Namibia. We should feel sorry for these ignorant people and get the older and intelligent people to teach them how it is done.
Hi everyone
I think that Gordon is probably correct when he says that Namdeb/ De Beers have a lot to answer for. But I'm not sure it would have been any different if it was any other company. That is what the mining business is all about: getting the stuff out of the ground and making as much profit as possible. Here in Australia mining companies have tried the same and there is very strong legislation and laws in place to make companies accountable and behave in a responsible manner. Otherwise they would also be negligent. There are hefty fines here and companies have been fined million for behaving badly. Unfortunately this is the world we live in today.
I still have incredibly strong feelings for Oranjemund (even after 30 years) and think about the place almost every day, even though I spent almost all my time at Affenrucken. It remains very close to my heart.
We need to remember that everything changes – nothing stays the same. I spent 8 great years at Oranjemund and still think of it as being the best time I've had anywhere. But I'm also a realist and know that it won't be like it was when I was there in the 70s. It never is.
The town is going through tough times, like many mining towns everywhere. Even Rio Tinto is laying off thousands of mining workers in Australia, such as Lake Argyle, and elsewhere. This is the nature of the business. A resource gets used up and things can look dicey for a while until some contingency plan is put in place. Even Oranjemund has to face that sooner or later. Hopefully it will survive, as it is a very special place.
I'll be there in April and it will be very interesting, as I'm looking forward to analysing my reaction and thoughts after not having been there for 25 years. Whatever it is, I'm damn sure it won't be indifference.
Malcolm
I take serious objection to Bradley Eugene and the personal attack on Gordon; totally and utterly inappropriate - stick to the topic.
And Gordon you are also at fault for taking a dig at the company for past issues; there is a discussion going on about the future of Oranjemund keep it to that topic.
We as ex and current Oranjemunders can possibly make a positive contribution with our ideas so let's focus on that!
Sigh......
Dear Bradley
Thanks for your response of 19 Feb.
Do you have any positive contribution to make apart from advising Israel to 'Keep faith Tate, keep faith, we shall overcome'?
Unless you are appraised of the facts of a particular matter, personal attacks on individuals with unsubstantiated allegations are not only out of line and actionable in law if defamatory, but also do you as a person a great disservice.
Keep your eye on the ball lad and dont let personal prejudices cloud your judgement and befuddle your mind.
Welcome to the site
best regards
Gordon
Dear Malcolm and Cherry
Your criticism is taken in the spirit it is meant.
From reading about the future of Oranjemund on the site, nobody has made mention at any point of a plan either De Beers or Namdeb might have for securing the long term future of OM. It appears there isn't one.Malcolm is correct when he says that mining companies are only there for the minerals and that when the resource is depleted, they move on. I agree entirely. That is the nature of the mining business. Why should De Beers or Namdeb be any different? They aren't.
It is then left to concerned folk and other business-minded individuals to come up with a viable business plan or plans if a town like Oranjemund is to survive and prosper.We are those people.
But we have to have a level playing field on which to build a future and invest our time, money and effort. That is a definite prerequisite. When the diamonds of the Sperrgebeit are depleted neither De Beers nor Namdeb will have any reason to stay on. If they had they would have mentioned it before now.Nor will there be any need for the security legislation that protected De Beers' diamond mining interests.So, when De Beers and Namdeb have nothing more to mine in the area and when the diamond laws are repealed, the playing fields will be level and business opportunities will present themselves in abundance. I too have what I consider a viable and exciting draft business plan ready for implementation as soon as the playing fields are levelled as I am sure many others have also.
Looking forward to seeing you soon Malcolm.
Best regards to you both
Gordon
It may be appropriate to realise that the FORUM that is available on this site is being read around the world. Mike has put a lot of effort to attract ex Oranjemunders to this site. Having the content of this particular topic spread so far and wide could deter some people from joining us which is contradictory to the spirit of the site. Personal views and grudges do not interest me even if they are substantiated - I suggest those involved email each other on a private email address.
I for one would like to suggest that the moderators consider removal of this negative from the site. Cherry certainly put the matter into perspective. There is enough negative in the world as it is. Since I am as far away as Australia, I cant make more of a contribution than a suggestion. I hope this is seen in a positive manner. I want Oranjemund to have a good kick at the cat in the area of survival for the sake of those living there that preserve the unique identity for the rest that no longer live there but have strong bonds and memories. Lets give them the moral support they need. I would like to take my "born in Oranjemund" daughter back one day after all.
John
Quote from: Bradley Eugene on February 20, 2009, 11:01:10 AM
Dear Georg
I am a proud Oranjemunder and have been for many years.
Thanks for letting me know, i found that out via your IP adress already yesterday
So you are better informed then me in Germany...
In this matter I echo Cherry ... Sigh ! and another one Sigh ! ... it does not look good ... but then thats what forums are about ... debate ... good or bad .. it all has a place ... grudges if one wants to term them so .. the words of Bradley . .. the words of Malcolm re the inherent nature of mining .. exploit resource .. move on ... think to Britain with the spent coal mines and villages dying ... and the furore around it ... so yes this an emotive issue .. and yes so difficult to process and remain objective .. hey were all part of it .. some are still there as part of it ... yes agree to disagree on certain points but also keep the goal in mind .. sustainability of a jewel in the desert ...
Quote from: John Creedy on February 20, 2009, 03:52:43 PM
...... Personal views and grudges do not interest me even if they are substantiated - I suggest those involved email each other on a private email address......
I echo John here. I'm not interested in negative remarks against Oranjemunders (current or ex-), our Town, our friends. It's not constructive and should be kept to Private Messages. Utopia is also a deserted town... Let's bury this and look for solutions in the future, not try to change the past. It's not worth it.
Dear Bertie, John
Couldn't agree more. Personal attacks on individuals on the site are counter-productive and totally out of line.
There is nothing to be gained from maligning individuals in such a manner. Its just unfortunate the future of Oranjemund is such an emotive issue but we can enter into robust debate without getting personal.That kind of response is uncalled for and unwarranted. Anyway, that is hopefully behind us. We must forge on with a positive outlook and a view to finding a workable solution. Personally I find it a great challenge and quite exciting. What to do when Namdeb stops mining? To me the future looks bright and I relish the prospect of getting involved and finding a viable solution.
Kindest regards
Gordon
Back to the important Topic again, lets Brain Storm
What is needed is a community meeting initiatives and some people in town must get active, to wait for Namdeb and Gvnmt alone is not enough. Things will never be the same again as in the spoiled CDM times.
Private reponsibiltiy is asked for now. They must become a normal community with all the advantages and disadvantages. Investors are needed and must be perpared to loose money in the start, the remaining people in OM must assist. Small enterprises can step in to take the previous jobs of Namdeb.
All services will be gone when Namdeb closes. If nothing is planned things will go down the drain.
A proper community must take over those duties, private enterprise can be contracted.
i.e.
Parks and Gardens
Roads
Pools
Hospital
Golf club
Yacht Club
Horse Club and and and
These recration facilities can attract visitors....
Accomodation is needed
etc etc etc
I think the people currently living in Oranjemund (like our Mike and Michele) are probably in the best position to spot where the Town's future survival is hidden, and to judge which would be viable options. Yes, it will take money and time to get ANY project going, and will take a lot of hard work. But I still believe there is hope.
Funds will have to be brought in from outside. No mining company to pay salaries -> no money to pay for services or for growing enterprise.
Also difficult to plan for the future if nobody knows what the current plan of the mine really is. There's always been a 5-year plan regarding jobs and positions for employees, so certainly management must have a 5-year plan for the mine in totality. May VERITAS prevail and let us know when to plan ahead, before disaster strikes and everything comes to a screeching halt.
We need the appointment of an 'On-Line' Save Oranjemund committee
Appointed representatives of this committee need to formally open dialogue with Namdeb /De Beers / Nam Govt.to establish a time line with regards to ascertaining the following information:-
Firstly, when will the mine be closing down?
Will it be a phased closure or a relatively quick shut down?
How soon can security legislation be repealed?
What assets will remain?
Will they be sold off or just left behind?
If the former, at what values?
At this juncture, a negotiating team should be appointed to deal with asset transfers, the issue of land and business rights acquisitions, etc
The committee needs to have access to detailed working cost budgets relating to the costs of running the town itself. eg. Electrical and water reticulation systems, sewerage processing, upkeep of buildings, maintenance of parks and gardens, roads, telecommunications, policing, administration, running and maintenance of the airport etc.
Once the first three questions have been answered it will then be possible to establish a proper Time Line.
From then on we can produce a series of development goals and a
List of Business Projects with an outline of the objectives of each listing required resource inputs (land, labour and capital) and a skeleton business plan.
But first off lets appoint a committee to represent our respective interests in saving Oranjemund and making it a thriving town once again.
A 5 member committee would probably suffice at this juncture.
Mike / George we need a poll for democratic nominations of guys and girls willing to actively serve on this committee.
This is really exciting stuff. Few people in the world have had the opportunity to revive the fortunes of a dying mining town the size of Oranjemund.
Lets get to it.
OK, I can resist no longer...
The question we need to be asking ourselves is simply "would Oranjemund even exist if it were not for mining". The answer to that is "probably not", possibly there might be a few holiday cottages or seaside homes for fishermen but there certainly would not be the infrastructure and amenities we currently have. We also need to then ask "what is the nature of this town?" Well, it is, as harsh as it might seem, simply a capital asset for the mining company and by that I mean to say, De Beers paid for and built this town as an overhead cost to the mining operation. Like any capital asset, it has a useful life to the business before its impact on profitability becomes marginal or even negative. This, dear people, is where I believe we find ourselves now, Namdeb is scaling back both in response to the current economic crisis and also in response to a depleting resource.
Malcolm rightly echoed my sentiment that neither De Beers nor Namdeb has any further obligation to this town once mining ceases, any investment or efforts they do make (and believe me, sitting at a few management tables, there are indeed some efforts) should be appreciated for what they are, and that is an extended social responsibility effort, but it is never ever going to be their core focus, that's just how a capitalist economy works, shareholders want dividends and returns on their investments and frown significantly upon any financial output beyond accepted social responsibilities. We are not dealing with philanthropists here.
So, having put that into perspective, the next question is now that we have removed (looking forward here, please try keep up) mining as the sole reason for this town existing, we need to find an alternate micro economic driver that will sustain this town. A useful comparison here might be Las Vegas, which has no real motivation for its existence except for the artificially created economy of gambling (i.e.: there are no natural resources to exploit). There have been quite a few positive thoughts from a number of you around tourism; retirement villages etc. and these should each be assessed on merit as individual business cases. My gut feel is that tourism will have its place but will certainly not draw enough external revenue to sustain the town on its own. The retirement village concept may well work, but the business case would need to demonstrate that (a) sufficient interested parties exist who (b) can pay the required levy to sustain the infrastructure and (c) that the population turnover as people leave or pass on would be sufficient to be sustainable for the long term.
Here's another idea, I've already mentioned that the town is a capital asset, and what do most companies do with capital assets that have reached (or nearly reached) the end of their useful lives? Well, they sell them, usually by auction for their residual value... Is there any reason why that option should not be exploited? I realize that this might be a bit 'out of the box' but this is what I'm proposing.
1. A committee be established to manage this exercise. The committee should consist of individuals with keen business acumen across commerce and finance as well as social and marketing fields
2. The proposals put forward here should have concrete business cases run against them to assess viability. This should be managed and executed by the committee
3. Should a, or any combination of business cases prove viable, then we search for investors. These can be individuals, groups or even other businesses (lets say 'Coca Cola retirement village' as an example)
You see, we could keep on posting entries in a forum like this. We could keep on getting emotional and whiny about what somebody is or isn't doing. We could do any number of things, but none of what we have done so far has made an iota of difference. This is going to take commitment, personal sacrifice and an extraordinary amount of time... talk is not going to carry the can here, stakeholder engagement with concrete and viable proposals from a group that has credibility is going to make this work (or not work as the case might – we have to allow for the fact that perhaps nothing we come up with will be viable.)
What say you?
For my 5 cents worth I think that all debte is good debate and from debate you get the brain cells going and some great answers come out. There will all ways be those for and those against, that is why it is called debate. From reading all the posts I and going back in the history of the site and seeing what different people have posted about their personal stories I see that maybe there are two sides to the story and maybe after all a third? that no one knows about, but reading Eugenes post about being passionate about Oranjemund and doing every thing in his power to stay on here and keep the people he employs here is a positive. I think we all want that. I certainly do and my alien other half certainly does and his little finger does not light up and says ET go Home! My rooi lorry has not turned into a flying saucer and I certainly want to stay till the end of my days and my children are so passionate about this town that my oldest is coming "home" to propose to his long time girl friend, here in our little oasis. So there are those who are fighting and I think that Mike's idea of a retirement village is fantastic. In fact alot of people think so, but we must remember that Namdeb is owned 51% by the government and allot of their income is derived from this little town, so there are many many things to take into account. The opening of the park is the first step and we must remember you have to crawl before you can run. So lets keep the ideas rolling like the mighty Orange.
I agree with forming a committe, for a start they must live in O-mund, outsiders can only help if dates are known and as said in other posts, what does Namdeb plan
I also agree, grawl first before you run
I also agree that tourism alone will never sustain O-mund but it can promote other activities
Since Namdeb is alo part of NAM, they want money for sure.....
If beginning business can be tax free, that is always an attractive incentive
Carry on with brain storming............
Great comments. I agree with Gordon & Paul. The first positive step will be a committee. We need ears and eyes in Oranjemund, people with experience in the fields of finance/commerce, human resources, negotiation, and well informed in the way the current mechanics of the "company town" work, and what the transition there-of might entail - the politics, legality, parties involved, etc. Like I said earlier, the primary members should be from Oranjemund, with them deciding on help from outside if needed.
This definitely CAN work.
Dear Paul
Can you find out from Namdeb when the mine will close down and if it will be a phased closure or a relatively quick shut down?
Within Namdeb, whom should one be discussing this issue?
Would Namdeb be in a position right now to appoint a liason expert onto the Oranjemund committee to assist with the transition?
Thanks your valuable input
Kind regards
Gordon
Hi all
What about the Luderitz-Oranjemund link? How busy/big/useful is Luderitz harbour. I believe they have a new container quay and the harbour is expanding. Could this service the northern Cape via the Luderitz road? Also use the Luderitz road for tourists? Just another idea . . . .
The recreation facilities are probably still the best that can be found on the west coast and this should be pushed as well. Perhaps some competitions and championships (golf, tennis, bowls, etc?) and this can include sponsorship. Unfortunately in these economic tough times it wont be easy to get sponsorship money, but it has to be tried.
I agree that there should be a committee formed with company representatives and long time residents that can together plan - as suggested elswhere on the forum on, a project or business plan basis - where to go with the town.
I guess that the future of the town lies in its own hands, even though the forum is a great way of getting positive ideas aired and discussed. Interesting times and challenges lie ahead.
Malcolm
HI to all & especially tate Israel,
It was great to see that there are a lot of people willing the town to escape the usual mining town eventuality. Non of us want to see a nother Pomona or Kolmanskop.
Both Cherry & John put things into perspective.
Sunday I wrote at length, giving my concerns and previous proposals that were mooted before I "left", however the joys of technology & good old SA infrastructure saw fit for my link to terminate as I was sending hence eveything was lost.
So here's the short version.
What has happened to the mines plans for implementing sustainable fish farming using the mine's sea waterholes & the central kitchen for filleting & packing?
What has happened to the mines plans for implementing Mussel & Oyster farming using the mine's sea waterholes.
There is also the opportunity for starting an Abalone farm using the existing infrastructure.
Along 5th Avenue there are numerious Olive trees, whats to stop an enterprising Oranjemund resident commencing an Oilve farm. ( I already suggested that the school purchase an oil press and produce a limited amount of olive oil to suplement funds - nothing ever came of this)
Thre was also proposals on the table to fence off the mine and allow access to luderitz via the Chamoise road, surely this is even more of an option now.
Lastly it was also proposed that once suitably fenced off, the Mittag hostel could be used as overnight accommodation for overlanders ( all the infrastructure was there BUT being left open to the elements )
So there's my my bit, quick but hopefully to the point.
WITHOUT BUY IN AND COMITTMENT FROM THE COMPANY & PRESSURE ON THE GVT FOR CHANGE NOTHING WILL CHANGE.
Tate Israel, you and your comdades have the contacts and can apply the necessary pressure, I realy like what you said about considering the town your home, I know it will always have a special place in my heart.
I wish you all the best am please keep posting
Regards Clive Symes
This appeared in Yesterday's Namibian, I think this statement has appeared on a yearly basis for the last 3 years....
Thanks Mike ,
I cleared out a stack or work diarys otherwise I would have been able to tell you when we actually started the ball rolling, but from memory it was more like 10 or more years ago.
Yep CLive, you are right, about 10 years ago, same story, same town...just different people......
Mike,
Whats Israel's feedback on the topic, he started the ball, ask him to log some reply's
Ja, Clive.....Israel was away in WHK for some meetings and arrived back in town two days ago, with a few Ministers in tow.. I last saw him on Wednesday, briefly, he was in pain, a pinched nerve in his leg, but he will be online soon to reply, I printed a copy of his topic for him to read ...
HI Mike Give Israel my regards, looking forward to his input
Ja, it seems as if he his to be flown to CPT in the next day or two, to have an OP to fix that pinched nerve.....
Wish him all the best, Im sure he will be sorted out shortly.
Will do...... Sure he appreciates it.....
Here;s an interesting idea from Wee Bill:
"Hi Mike , read your article about future of Orangemund , very sad, my wife and family have very fond memories of the place . I was discussing the place with my sons and one of them came up with the idea of using it as a training ground for say a United nations military rapid reaction group , it would be ideally placed most of the trouble spots in the world at the moment could be reached in a matter of hours.
A new port would need to be built (employing local labour of course ),
A revenue from the United Nations would I am sure be welcome to the Namibian economy ,
A much larger airport would be needed (local labour of course)
There is already a technical skills base in Orangemund already, for the maintenance of mechanised military equipment .
The infrastructure of an established town is already there (food, water,power).
The security the area would easy be enforced by the presence of the military.
Many civilians employed as support workers.
Regards Bill Struthers (Wee Bill)"
THe only downside, I can foresee, is if a Namibian government would be pro American....
I see old Israel made the front page of yesterdays Republikein and was also on NBC Television last week...
Here's the link.......
http://www.republikein.com.na/suiderland/diamantdorp-se-glans-verdof.83502.php
Bravo! Tate Israel Bravo! Aluta Continua!
Some really viable suggestions have been made to prolong the economic environment of Oranjemund.
Acquaculture through the use of the mine dams is in my view, the most financially viable option in the short term available as the shareholders could export highly lucrative seafood products such as lobster and abalone by air or via Walvis Bay. Olives, grapes (vineyards), flowers etc are good ideas too. (intelligent use of the Orange river as the Upington area has will produce results).
I sincerely hope that shareholder decisions in respect of the future of Oranjemund are made soon AND while the proposed infrastructure (central kitchen, dams, etc) to drive the new Oranjemund economy is still functional and not left to fall into a state of disrepair or worse, collapse. This would obviously severely compromise the financial viability of many of the proposals made.
Come on shareholders De Beers and Government, there HAS to be a workable plan B that will generate non diamond mining revenues for you and the community!
Namdeb and the Govt does not have to do the rescue. Namdeb has funds set aside for develpment. The development will come. The town/farm has to be proclaimed. Ownership is the key.
An interesting article from Friday's Namibian, indicating the type of concerns which currently occupy the authorities' minds when it comes to proclaiming towns. With a number of towns in Namibia going backwards at a 100 miles an hour, is it any wonder that there is huge concern and circumspection, on the part of Government, where such matters are under consideration? The frightening thing is that a town like Karibib has way more going for it than a place like Oranjemund.
Most of the small towns had investments with insurance companies and banks. What happend to that money? Managing is the answer, but who? Hentiesbay was always run by someone else, until they could sustain a municipality.
G,day Isreal,I lived in Orangemund in the early seventies and have the greatest memories any child can have and its with shock and puzzlement that I hear that Oranjemund is about to disappear ,So here is my input I live in one of the most arid ,dry parts of the world ,Australia just like Namibia !I find it hard to believe a country like Namibia letting a town dissapear back into the desert once again ! the key in my opinion , is think out side the town you work in! think out side the diamond mines ,In Aus we have major water problems you have fresh drinking water in abundance the "Orange "so you can sustain life ,crops and over the last 50 years been self sufficiant with all due respect to the members of the Namibia goverment maybe you should send a few pollie`s for an info junket to countrys like Oman,Isreal ,Quatar ,Arab Emirates and Australia,There are towns and cities that have major water shortages in Namibia I can`t believe educated men & women of the Namibian Goverment will let all thats been acomplished in the past 60 years or so disappear ,Orangemund could be a major farming district,educational center for Namibia with its own Uni ,Tourist destination ,secondary Capital the future is endless ,Payback is a bitch but maybe the De beers group should put back more into the Town of Orangemund that they have taken out of the sands of the namib ,after all it was all our homes for so long, Take care all
Tate Israel / Mike,
Sadly, I have no magic idea to re shape the future of OMND but people around here (Swakopmund) tell me that Swakop was in the same situation a decade or two ago (although i dont think it was quite as bad a situation as Oranjemund is in at the moment). Why dont you guys speak to the old hands in the town council here ? They may have some good advice.
Good luck!
Oranjemund Branch
Community Mass Meeting
When: 16 May 2009, Saturday
Time: 14H00
Where: Recreational Club
Theme: How to save Oranjemund?
Objectives: To sensitizes Oranjemund business community and residents to remain confident and positive about the future of Oranjemund post - Economic recession and Mining activities. Aakalimo atuheni otwa hiyiiwa meenkundathana dhonakuyiwa yOranjemund
Agenda:
• Welcoming by NCCI – President John Akapandi
• Update on Town Proclamation process &obstacles thereof
• Remarks by Hon. Councillor Toivo Nambala
• Brainstorming on the future intervention to proclaim and save Oranjemund from becoming a GHOST town- NCCI Director Israel Kalenga
• Discussion & plot the way forward
• Closure
The future of Oranjemund in our hands, let's be architects of our own destination.
idontknow Well, if the powers that be continue on their ego trips, the houses stand empty until the "right" tenant is found or is renovated and left standing till the "right" tenant arrives and the town remains a closed community, a new ghost town will be formed. Without too much effort a tourist attraction like Kolmanskop will develop - think about that. You can do a trip through southern Namibia visiting all the Ghost towns. Think of the brilliant photographic trips etc. yes1 just kidding. It is so sad to see the town deteriorate into nothing.
Amazing actually, just retread the entire topic, crazy to think that this was 4 years back and yet we sit....
yesno
Mmm was trolling through from page 1 and the same thought was forming Mike ,, too true .. beat me to comment .. 16_1_231