The transition from " Closed Town " to '' Open Town ".

[Nicky Hodge]

Who could forget the day that the town was proclaimed " OPEN " ? My memory fails me as to the exact year ( 1974 ? ), but the town was abuzz with excitement. It was a very hushed and clandestine affair, due to the obvious security concerns by the company. In effect, the "checkpoint" was relocated from the town ( where everyone in the town who wanted to leave or enter, including children), were subject to X-RAY, to the mine, where only mine personal would be subject to X-RAY.
This literally happened overnight, with stories of all the companies' vehicles being rounded up and driven to security. People came out of the cinema, only to find out that their company vehicle had " disappeared ", which led to much confusion to everyone concerned. I do remember all the excitement, as this meant that everyone could now bring their private vehicles into town. Before this, the vehicles had to be left at the bridge in garages on either side of the river. I'll never forget all the cars being " paraded " around town, and a new experience for us kids at the time ....... Traffic !! There was also a new pastime that became part of everyone's weekend routine ....... The washing and polishing of the family car. Some would spend untold hours on this newfound hobby!

[SandyB]

The  transition  .. yes  a  big surprise  for  me  .. I  was  on  holiday  at the  time ..   and  arrived back on  the  day  it all  occured    ....  I  arrived  at  the  bridge   and  was  told  to  drive  straight on .. "take  your car  home  sir !! " no  need  to stow  in  the Garage ... 
Think  back  to  when  we  were allowed  out  once  a  month to  go  look  at and  start  our  private  cars  .. Kotie  Kruger  had  a wheel  balancing  and  tye repair  service   and  a  couple  of  mechanics  would do  work  on those  needing  attention ...    one  thing it  reduced  wear and tear  on  vehicle  keeping Km  low  only problem  was the  ravages  of  the  then  untarred  Steinkopf  road ....

[Michael Alexander]

About 90% of the garages on this side of the river have been converted into hostel living accomodation, and only about 20% are left on the ZA side, used by the SAP as garages for their cars, the rest are gone....

:-\

[Nicky Hodge]

This is quite hard to picture, Mike ...... things really have changed ... !!

[barb (Fry)]

Didn't alot of floorboards get lifted after that ?
lol

[Nicky Hodge]

Amongst other places!!

[barb (Fry)]

Did the wall between the two post office entrances come down at this time.

[Nicky Hodge]

I think you may be right there.

[Michael Alexander]

Where was the wall between the 2 postoffices? By the po box section or in the main building?

???

[barb (Fry)]

main building, there were two enterances, the one one the left was the one we used.  The one on the right for ovambo clients.
there was also a hatched door at the back of the shopping centre were they were required to go and hand someone there shopping list.
I also remember a air shoot that was used to send money to the room with a safe.  This was used to get change as well if I remember correctly.
 

[Richard Opperman]

Barbara, the air shot you mentioned.

My company markets a product called "Teletube" which is exactly the same type of thing that was used in Omund in the 60s,but of cause much more modern and computerised.
ABSA bank in South Africa use it for their cashless counters. Makro and larger shops also use it.

Bye
Richard  8)

[barb (Fry)]

Thanks for that, I had a moment of insecurity about my memory there, as I was something only BIG stores in Cape Town had when we vacated as a kid.
Well done you.

[Paul Alexander]

Hey guys, remember when the shopping center used to deliver your groceries to your house... closed town and all so there were no cars, all the mothers had those wicker basket shopping trolley efforts (like Wicker golf carts really) but if you has too big a load your just arrange for the shopping center to drop it off at your house....  FLASHBACK

[Michael Alexander]

I remember in the Old shop, there was a bin area that was full of empty box's for the customers to put their groceries into... great place to play in!

:)

[Vikki de Jager (Summers)]

I remember my mom's wicker shopping basket trolley thing. Pretty useful object really. You could push it or pull it or hook the handle onto a pram and tow it along. It was also great for transporting the cat or dog around the house after dressing them up in dolls clothes (poor things !).