How to Rescue Oranjemund!

[Michael Alexander]

I see old Israel made the front page of yesterdays Republikein and was also on NBC Television last week...

Here's the link.......

http://www.republikein.com.na/suiderland/diamantdorp-se-glans-verdof.83502.php

[Riaan Smit]

Bravo! Tate Israel Bravo! Aluta Continua!

[Stirling]

Some really viable suggestions have been made to prolong the economic environment of Oranjemund.

Acquaculture through the use of the mine dams is in my view, the most financially viable option in the short term available as the shareholders could export highly lucrative seafood products such as lobster and abalone by air or via Walvis Bay. Olives, grapes (vineyards), flowers etc are good ideas too. (intelligent use of the Orange river as the Upington area has will produce results).

I sincerely hope that shareholder decisions in respect of the future of Oranjemund are made soon AND while the proposed infrastructure (central kitchen, dams, etc) to drive the new Oranjemund economy is still functional and not left to fall into a state of disrepair or worse, collapse. This would obviously severely compromise the financial viability of many of the proposals made.

Come on shareholders De Beers and Government, there HAS to be a workable plan B that will generate non diamond mining revenues for you and the community!

[Riaan Smit]

Namdeb and the Govt does not have to do the rescue. Namdeb has funds set aside for develpment. The development will come. The town/farm has to be proclaimed. Ownership is the key.

[Pete (RIP)]

An interesting article from Friday's Namibian, indicating the type of concerns which currently occupy the authorities' minds when it comes to proclaiming towns.  With a number of towns in Namibia going backwards at a 100 miles an hour, is it any wonder that there is huge concern and circumspection, on the part of Government, where such matters are under consideration?  The frightening thing is that a town like Karibib has way more going for it than a place like Oranjemund.

[Riaan Smit]

Most of the small towns had investments with insurance companies and banks. What happend to that money? Managing is the answer, but who? Hentiesbay was always run by someone else, until they could sustain a municipality.

[Billy Struthers]

G,day Isreal,I lived in Orangemund in the early seventies and have the greatest memories any child can have and its with shock and puzzlement that I hear that Oranjemund is about to disappear ,So here is my input I live in one of the most arid ,dry parts of the world ,Australia just like Namibia !I find it hard to believe a country like Namibia letting a town dissapear back into the desert once again ! the key in my opinion , is think out side the town you work in! think out side the diamond mines ,In Aus we have major water problems you have fresh drinking water in abundance the "Orange "so you can sustain life ,crops and over the last 50 years been self sufficiant with all due respect to the members of the Namibia goverment maybe you should send a few pollie`s for an info junket  to countrys like Oman,Isreal ,Quatar ,Arab Emirates and Australia,There are towns and cities that  have major water shortages in Namibia I can`t believe educated men & women of the Namibian Goverment will let all thats been acomplished in the past 60 years or so disappear ,Orangemund could be a major farming district,educational center for Namibia with its own Uni ,Tourist destination ,secondary Capital the future is endless ,Payback is a bitch but maybe the De beers group should put back more into the Town of Orangemund that they have taken out of the sands of the namib ,after all it was all our homes for so long, Take care all

[Cynthia L]

Tate Israel / Mike,

Sadly, I have no magic idea to re shape the future of OMND but people around here (Swakopmund) tell me that Swakop was in the same situation a decade or two ago (although i dont think it was quite as bad a situation as Oranjemund is in at the moment).  Why dont you guys speak to the old hands in the town council here ?  They may have some good advice.

Good luck!

[Riaan Smit]

 
Oranjemund Branch

Community Mass Meeting

When:       16 May 2009, Saturday

Time:      14H00

Where:    Recreational Club

Theme:    How to save Oranjemund?

Objectives:   To sensitizes Oranjemund business community and residents to remain confident and positive about the future of Oranjemund post - Economic recession and Mining activities. Aakalimo atuheni otwa hiyiiwa meenkundathana dhonakuyiwa yOranjemund
Agenda:      
•   Welcoming by NCCI – President John Akapandi
•   Update on Town Proclamation process &obstacles thereof
•   Remarks by Hon. Councillor Toivo Nambala
•   Brainstorming on the future intervention to proclaim and save Oranjemund from  becoming  a GHOST town- NCCI  Director  Israel Kalenga
•   Discussion & plot the  way forward
•   Closure

The future of Oranjemund in our hands, let's be architects of our own destination.

[Cheryl Quantrill (van Greunen)]

  Well, if the powers that be continue on their ego trips, the houses stand empty until the "right" tenant is found or is renovated  and left standing till the "right" tenant arrives and the town remains a closed community, a new ghost town will be formed. Without too much effort a tourist attraction like Kolmanskop will develop - think about that. You can do a trip through southern Namibia visiting all the Ghost towns.  Think of the brilliant photographic trips etc. just kidding. It is so sad to see the town deteriorate into nothing.

[Michael Alexander]

Amazing actually, just retread the entire topic, crazy to think that this was 4 years back and yet we sit....

[SandyB]

Mmm was trolling through from page 1 and the same thought was forming Mike ,, too true .. beat me to comment ..