Oranjemund on the Up!

[Michael Alexander]

It was pointed out to me by JD the other day, that although Omund was going through a bit of a downward turn a few months back.... things have changed...wherever you look , you can see lawns being watered, roads being resurfaced, school being done up with paint shops and fencing,cleaning crews on the streets...... and to top it all off, I heard yesterday the mine smashed their carat call target for the month....  COuld we have turned the corner?

[Jeremy Dixon]

I hope so must agree being in cape town I tavell up there every 3 months or so, so I notice the difference more than someone who lives there and I tend to agree that the town is looking much better and greener than it has in a while!

[Michael Alexander]

I think I never really noticed it , until the Creedy's returned after 30 years and raved about the place...then JD mentioned it to me....... Ja sure there are some houses where the occupants  are'nt used to living in a building with bricks and electricity....but one has to admit, in general it's looking good...... 

[SandyB]

Sounds encouraging ..

[DUNJA WRBKA]

Perhaps the reunion have something to do with it ?  202

[Pete (RIP)]

I cannot speak for Namdeb, however, I would like, in my personal capacity, to share some thoughts... 

Let me start by saying that, maybe, it's time people started giving our management team(s) a little credit for a change!  Irrespective of the era, this mine and town have always been treasured by our company's founders/managers/executives/shareholders and, yes, often, at ground level, it is difficult to comprehend what the rationale behind certain "management" decisions and behaviour is.  Let's do objectivity a favour by "losing" all the conspiracy theories, that have abounded for years, to the effect that management are surreptitiously "trying to do this or that".  I know such theories are a lot more fun than facts but, hey, you can always go and read the WINDHOEK OBSERVER for excitement!  And you're right...we don't always get it right!

Having been on this mine's EXCO/OPSCO team now for over 14 years I can assure our readers that there has always been a consistent desire to do what is best for the company, mine and town.  It's a tough call trying to keep so many diverse factions, with differing agendas, content!  On one hand, we are a mining company with shareholders (Government of the Republic of Namibia/De Beers) who expect us to make a profit.  As with all businesses, if we aren't profitable there's no point in being here.   As our land-based carat production declines so does our ability to carry a whole spread of overheads, of which the Town is one.  This is not "rocket science". 

On the other hand, we have a legacy of socio-economic-political issues that require attention and support.   Namdeb cannot, and would not want to, "walk away" from these responsibilities.  It is a case, however, of not being able to "have your cake, as well as eating it".  We are striving for that balance where Namdeb can continue to add value to the Town (and community) without bankrupting itself in the process.  (If anyone has the "instant fix" please ask Mike to introduce you to our new GM ~ I'm sure he'd welcome your contribution!!).

It is always easy to "throw stones" from the outside but management are the guys that have to take the tough decisions with the long term view in mind.  Their careers and reputations are directly linked to their actions!  Whilst many managers are transient (that is, they're here for a couple of years and  move on), there are a number who are not and who have been here for many years, their own careers and futures being closely linked to the Company's fortunes.  Many of us (such as myself, being one of a number) have spurned descondments and transfer (sometimes on promotion) because we are committed, and passionate, about Namdeb.

The management of Namdeb/Oranjemund has never been more complex and, what we really need, is for positive people of all persuasions to "come to the party".  It is now that all "good men (and women)" need to play their part.  It is, naturally, impossible to please everyone. (We are no longer, for instance, dealing with the termination of bread and milk deliveries, the closure of the Food Market, the phasing out of Company-sponsored domestics or the withdrawal of "Blue Cards"...we have moved way beyond that into the real issues of SUSTAINABILITY of Diamond Area No 1 which includes Oranjemund). 

Let's just realise that those who have a stake, past or present, in Namibia/CDM/Namdeb want the best for the mine and Oranjemund.  For those folk who are directly involved, let's all play our parts, no matter how small, in ensuring that our town remains as unique as it is for future generations of residents and visitors to enjoy.

[SandyB]

A viewpoint .. with balance  of all involved  .. well put .. the human equation / emotion part is the reality  , reactions , rumours ,   with past history  fuelling it .. ? .. how to deal with that  ?? .... double edged sword indeed .. 

[Clive Symes]

No easy call here and ther are a lot of us now watching from the side lines.

There never has been a quick fix, any change is often slow to start but it does gather momentum. 

Personally I have seen the changes over the years, and we all learn to adapt to change, we may not always agree or like the changes. Often because it pushes our comfort zone.

[SandyB]

True  words .. the only constant in life is change .. and yes  . if it is bad .. uugh !   if it is good  Aah ! .. but  to feel powerless  when change occurs takes immense human strength   to accept ,,  never mind adapt to ...

[Clive Symes]

A lot of people hanging in there, those that want to will make the change.

Just think that once people own their own homes in Oranjemund things may stabalise, even without the mine there are so many other opportunities, for tourism & recreation etc .

[Bertie Horak]

Yes, there will be changes, but somehow I don't think that would make a real Oranjemunder love it any less!

Can anybody tell me what the population of Oranjemund is currently?

[Michael Alexander]

@Pete...it's good hear the facts from the other side of the fence........thanks!

@ Clive..... The house buying option is tied up in a legal wrangle....with the governement, (the last that I heard from a reliable source last week)

@ Bertie..... I think it's about 12 500 or so..... Pete might have a more accurate figure....

[Adriaan Van Rooyen]

You see Mike,we WP supporters share the same passion for the Company and i dare say i am damn positive about the future of the town .........

[SandyB]

Aadriaan   by the  way did you ever get hold of that video of the UFO on the mine ?

[Alexandre]

"As for the diamond mining town of Oranjemund, tourism will play a major role. Once the nearby offshore Kudu gas field is developed, which is 140 kilometres west of the town, it will have a future,"

http://ipsnews.net/wap/news.asp?idnews=43736




It could help to have a nice conservation laboratory and a museum for that shipwreck next door... This ship reminds me very much of the "La Belle" - although this one appears to have been broken badly and scant hull remains survive -  which I had the opportunity to see displayed in it's initial phase, in 1998, at Corpus Christi, Texas.


http://www.thc.state.tx.us/lasalle/lasbelle.shtml

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/napcrl.htm