How to Rescue Oranjemund!

[Israel Kalenga]

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...

[georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP)]

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

[Cherry (Alcock)]

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.

[SandyB]

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 ..

[Patricia Lotte]

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.

[Bertie Horak]

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?

[georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP)]

Wow, so you must connect the sailing clubs pond to the sea and buid a harbour LOL

Only kidding, the subject is to serious

[Gordon Brown]

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 

[Bradley Eugene]

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.

[Israel Kalenga]

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.

[Israel Kalenga]

  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 .

[georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP)]

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

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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

[Diana Rudd (Boehme)]

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 .

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.

[SandyB]

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 .

[Adriaan Van Rooyen]

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  again?