Want A Photograph Taken!

[Cheryl Quantrill (van Greunen)]

I always used to think that we were just being racist and unfairly critical when we commented on how a place slowly sinks into the mire when "they" move in ,but you know , it's true. I have seen it happen all over here in the Cape as well as the hospitals, shopping centres etc. We have one living across the road from us - she regularly gets letters from the minicipality instructing her to cut her grass and clean up.  This is followed by an invasion by garden services until the next letter. And she is an advocate!!

[Michael Alexander]

Cheryl, I don't think it's a racist thing, but more a case of cultures. This is Africa, and I have met some trailer trash white people. On the other side I have met some awesome genuine Black people. The problem is that there is a lot more of the uneducated exploited black masses.  A huge percentage of the well educated black people that went through OPS have emigrated to Europe as there is not enough jobs out here, but the bulk of the masses have to steal to survive. Here in namibia, november is known as suicide month, with hangings going through the roof. There is no good future for them. But they still vote the rulling party into power, year after year, without seeing that only the members of the ruling party are benefiting, those more in the
know ,have ran off to join the Opposition party, the RDP, including two ex prominent SWAPO boys, who were in the top 10 of the leadership, once again they are the more intellectual members. Of course SWAPO has branded them traitors to the whole of Namibia. they spent 800 million on a presidential state house in WHK, yet the masses need schools , housing and job creation.... it's a disgrace...

Crime affects black people as well, more whites are involved in blue collar crimes, as they make up 80% of the white collar jobs..... I hate seeing the way Oranjemund is going, and believe I will get the absolute last drops of the good days here. People say that I should attend all the various meetings and initiatives here about the future of Oranjemund, I don't  go, due to the fact that I believe that DEBEERS have already resigned this once proud town of theirs to the dogs. The people in the town serving on the committee's around the town, all have their own interest at heart, and not the town itself. At the end of the day only 2 things can save Oranjemund, 1) Large Private Retirement village and 2) Controlled limited tourism...... but they can't see it.....\

In my previous post I bitched about how the gardens are uprooted for mielies, thats their culture I'm afraid, but there are a few avid black gardeners that have created stunning gardens , better than their white counterparts...

I could go on forever, one must read overseas papers also, to get a broader perspective of crime world wide. I know Georg does. I read Canadian, Australian, British and New Zealand online papers, they have crime there also, the only thing is that their law system is more effecient, ours not.........

:emot26:

[barb (Fry)]

 

[georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP)]

they have crime there also, the only thing is that their law system is more effecient, ours not.........

:emot26:

And that is the main problem

[Michael Alexander]

.... if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys!

[SandyB]

Sticky  subject  ...  but  many true  words   sans   the   usual  emotional  outburst   and  labelling  ...    the outcome  of  the  whole  scenario  is  sad  as  we   will  all  see  a    once  proud    jewell  of  a town  die ....

[georg ruf jr.]

And While I was there , I took A few more of other's that might be of interest!

I remember this funeral well. Half of om was there.

[Juliana Bester (Petersen)]

I feel sad after I read what is happening to the town. What a great place it was. Used to dress up for going to the bioscope! Cannot believe how time flew. My eldest brother John Petersen was the Usher for many years in the early 60s and still has all the Posters from those movies!
Some names of people I use to know under "Lost Diamonds" was unexpected. Astrid and I use to go to the swimming pool and had great fun! Rudi Ackerman use to live accross us out the back gate when we lived in second avenue. His sister Rita? and I went to the same High School in Stellenbosch. We moved to a newer house after that, but I cannot remember where although I have some photos which I will post at a later stage.
Mike, can you possibly take a photo of my dads grave? Fracis G J Petersen? Also who his "neigbours" are now?? (Graves both sides) I remember going up for the funeral and that was the last time I had been there. So, I never saw the grave after that day. When I find out our addresses, I would love a photo of that too!!
You are great, getting all us old Oranjemunders in contact and the old photos are great too.
Cheers for now and thank you in advance.
Juliana Bester. (Petersen)

[Michael Alexander]

Hi Juliana, thanks for your kind words and memories, I plan to go around the town this week and "catch" up on a few pics I owe to a few people. It's also my early shift so I should have time on my hands.

:emot26:

[Juliana Bester (Petersen)]

Thanks Michael! What a lovely site and so much to read. I have some names and memories I would like to add once I finish reading. Will be looking forward to more pics. Cheers, Julie.

[Michael Alexander]

Juliana, sorry, I sound like a real Ja Broer, but I ran outta time this week, and could'nt leave the shop like I would to , due to people being on leave, but I'll get there....

[Rhona]

Hi Mike,
I've been dipping in and out of the site regularly for a couple of months now, reading loads and loving every minute of it.......A lot of happy memories coming flooding back, and then to-day, I saw the pics you took for Gary of E6-7 and I just had to say thank you.......Wow!!! it really doesn't seem like 26years since we were tearing through the alley back and forth a hundred times a day from ours to yours. Did the McManus's and Alexanders go anywhere alone during the 70's, sometimes I wonder were we actually the same family??? And so, Mike...........I'm sure you are tired of hearing this but I will say it one more time.............You are brilliant and thanks for the site.

R.

[Michael Alexander]

Rhona, I seem repetative, but thanks, and always remember the success of this site depends apon all the input and memories you ex Oranjemunders put into it...

As for the family connection, after you guys left, my dad, being the true celt he was made friends with another Irish family, the McCullughs, great people, in the same sense as your folks, great people, genuine folk, and through them , the braai fires and parties coninued right on into the late 80's, good people you Irish are........


Mike

[jacquesschreuder]

Mike

Since you let me know how rustig you job at spar is, I used to live in E21-7th avenue, but here's the catch  and I was actually thinking about it the other day. I stayed in the "pondok" (haven't used this word for a while) behind the garage (busroute side) and when I was staying there painted some pictures on the back of the door. Here's the challenge for you. See if it still there.

My father went to Alexanderbay for a NorthWest Cape rugby reunion a couple of years ago and went to his old single quaters room and found his name still burn't into the side of the bed bunk. After 50 years!

Cheers

Jacques

[Michael Alexander]

Jaques, I remember after all these years where your house was. I keep meaning to go out and catchup with the photo's, my camera has been lying on my desk here at work for the last 2 weeks, I'll try next week......