Moving to Oranjemund

[Shirl]

My husband is considering a two year contract in Oranjemund and I wanted to find out a bit more about living there.  I'm soon to be a brand new mum - before we would arrive - so naturally have some concerns about the adjustments.  My main concern are things like - are there many community activities, clubs like a gym/art clubs etc and what's the church life like there? We are currently living in Durban.

[georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP)]

Welcome Shirl to our forum

I can not tell you the status right now, but in my time, Oranjemund was something very special.

Things have changed since........ But if it is for 2 years only, it will be an experience, that depends what work you envisage to do.

As far as communities and sport activities, O-mund was extraordinary with many clubs beeing active

Note its all was, dont know now, but residents will answer more specific questions 

[Michael Alexander]

Hi Shirl, Mike here..... There are a few of us on this forum that still live here..... Most of the clubs have gone down , due to the falling membership.....times have changed and a lot of people have moved on...However, there are still a few church's on the go, the Community(Anglican) is fairly popular...... as for clubs, there is a mother and tot's type group that I know of that meet often.... the biggest complaint for newcomers out here, is the remoteness of the place and thus not being able just to walk into any shop and find what you what...... prices up here are also more expensive.... due to various reasones including "special" taxes imposed by the government on certain items, i.e milk, pasta ..... there is a gym, although not on the same standards as you would expect to find on the outside..... the golf club, yacht club, riding club and offroad club are the big ones that draw the big crowds, with the Hockey, Bowls and squash clubs falling in behind.....

I guess the one thing is at least you've made a start by chatting in here.... and have already made a contact here.....

ask away 


Mike

[Shirl]

Thanks guys for all the info sounds interesting and like Oranjemund is a dying race...pity.  Will see if hubby can organise a recce tour.  The shops and remoteness don't concern me too much having spent my entire life, bar the last 4 years, in countries North of the Limpopo I am rather claustrophobic with the city living thing at the moment and certainly don't want my kids growing up in one.  I just know how important strong communities are in places like this and that's my main concern plus I really enjoy art/pottery (might as well get back into it now that I won't be working:) and our church involvement is pretty key in our lives.

[Michael Alexander]

I do not know of any pottery or art groups going on in Oranjemund, you could always try and start one...... Life is very laid back here, the place is quite green for where it is.... and we are in a conservation area...so you get gemsboks and jackals wandering all over the town..... the river and beach is quite an advantage....  nice and peaceful... the night skies and silence are my two favourite things about the place........

[georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP)]

Mike has described in his last posts exactly what kept me happy in that lone place

Althought things have changed, i beleive the people stick together and if you start a new group, they will be happy to join.

In my time, i knew no place that size with so many community activities like O-mund.

Just about any sport was possible, we also had a players group staging succesful plays, dramas, musicals.

The Camera club ( dont know if still existing ) gave me lots of impulses for my hobby.

If you bring yourself in to that society, you will be feeling home.....

Should you move there, i hope we will hear from you.

Old Oranjemunder ( one of the eldest active here ) now living in Germany Stuttgart, still strongly connected to O-Mund

Georg

[Sean]

Hi all!

Quick couple of questions from a potential new Oranjemunder - are power boats (dam type) allowed on the river and would it be a good idea to bring one?  And is it possible to get permission to drive along the coastal road all the way to Luderitz?  From Google Earth it looks like it would be an amazing drive.

Many thanks

Sean

[Michael Alexander]

Howzit Sean, The Yacht club pond is full of .... but the river is awesome, some guys even have powered out into the ocean here, but the swell is quite rough.... but as for the river, there is plenty of it.... as for driving to Luderitz along the coast.... No Way.. it ain't gonna happen, it's all in restricted diamond area.... to get to Luderitz you have to drive east 90km to Rosh Pinah, then take the tar road, I think 180km to Aus then turn west again to Luderitz..... huge detour....

when do you plan to come here? If you are into water sports, sailing or such, you should speak to Andrew, he is on this forum somewhere....

[Sean]

Thanks very much for that Michael! 

I'll be glad to bring my boat, perhaps get some fishing done on the river.

I'm hoping to be there in the next couple of months, I should know more this week.  I'm looking forward to it and the community seems great from what I've read online!  As you can see I'm even planning my holiday trips north already...

Thanks again for the info.

[Michael Alexander]

Sean, you big into fishing? There's a big Angling Club here, you should sign up with them when you get here, they have a fishing camp up at a place called Meob Bay, also in the Diamond Restricted area, but due to it being a "company" affiliated club they go on these week long trips up to Meob Bay, I think there;s a topic on the forum with regard to this......

[Bertie Horak]

@ Shirl - I was born in Oranjemund, and I'm so glad I spent my first childhood years there.  If I had a choice, I would definitely like to have it over again!  There's more than enough to do for the kids.  We also felt very safe in the community.  Different, but wonderful experience that I'm SO happy I had!

@ Sean - All I can say - I'm jealous of you.  I miss that place.  Sure, things probably changed and will be different to what I remember as a kid, but it'll take a lot to change how I feel about that oasis in the desert!  If I had the opportunity, I wouldn't mind going back.

[Sean]

I'll definitely be joining the fishing club, I have heard that the fishing up there is excellent.  I'm also looking forward to the 4x4 club which I gather is also doing well.  It's great that clubs like that are still going strong.


Thanks for the encouragement Bertie, not having actually been there it's great to hear how nice it is.  Especially since we have a young daughter.  Oranjemunders all seem to love their time there!  I must say I am greatly looking forward to it.

Thanks again to all for the info and help, it's much appreciated....

[Michele Alexander (Voden)]

How old is your daughter Sean?

[Sean]

3 Weeks!  Perhaps I should have said very young!  OM sounds like a wonderful environment for kids.

[Michael Alexander]

The four best things I enjoy about Oranjemund, The quietness, The Safety, The big open spaces and Michele..... (I had to say that!)