How to Rescue Oranjemund!

[Bradley Eugene]

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.

[Malcolm Bertoni]

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

[Cherry (Alcock)]

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......

[Gordon Brown]

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

[Gordon Brown]

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 

[John Creedy]

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

[georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP)]

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...

[SandyB]

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 ...

[Bertie Horak]

......  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.

[Gordon Brown]

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

[georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP)]

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

[Bertie Horak]

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.

[Gordon Brown]

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.

[Paul Alexander]

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?

[Skinny]

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.