How to Rescue Oranjemund!

[georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP)]

I agree with forming a committe, for a start they must live in O-mund, outsiders can only help if dates are known and as said in other posts, what does Namdeb plan

I also agree, grawl first before you run

I also agree that tourism alone will never sustain O-mund but it can promote other activities

Since Namdeb is alo part of NAM, they want money for sure.....

If beginning business can be tax free, that is always an attractive incentive

Carry on with brain storming............

[Bertie Horak]

Great comments.  I agree with Gordon & Paul. The first positive step will be a committee.  We need ears and eyes in Oranjemund, people with experience in the fields of finance/commerce, human resources, negotiation, and well informed in the way the current mechanics of the "company town" work, and what the transition there-of might entail - the politics, legality, parties involved, etc.  Like I said earlier, the primary members should be from Oranjemund, with them deciding on help from outside if needed.
This definitely CAN work.

[Gordon Brown]

Dear Paul
Can you find out from Namdeb when the mine will close down and if it will be a phased closure or a relatively quick shut down?
Within Namdeb, whom should one be discussing this issue?
Would Namdeb be in a position right now to appoint a liason expert onto the Oranjemund committee to assist with the transition?
Thanks your valuable input
Kind regards
Gordon   

[Malcolm Bertoni]

Hi all

What about the Luderitz-Oranjemund link?  How busy/big/useful is Luderitz harbour.  I believe they have a new container quay and the harbour is expanding.  Could this service the northern Cape via the Luderitz road?  Also use the Luderitz road for tourists?  Just another idea . . . .

The recreation facilities are probably still the best that can be found on the west coast and this should be pushed as well.  Perhaps some competitions and championships (golf, tennis, bowls, etc?) and this can include sponsorship.  Unfortunately in these economic tough times it wont be easy to get sponsorship money, but it has to be tried.

I agree that there should be a committee formed with company representatives and long time residents that can together plan - as suggested elswhere on the forum on, a project or business plan basis - where to go with the town.

I guess that the future of the town lies in its own hands, even though the forum is a great way of getting positive ideas aired and discussed.  Interesting times and challenges lie ahead.

Malcolm

[Clive Symes]

HI to all & especially tate Israel,
It was great to see that there are a  lot of people willing the town to escape the usual mining town eventuality. Non of us want to see a nother Pomona or Kolmanskop.
Both Cherry & John put things into perspective.

Sunday I wrote at length, giving my concerns and previous proposals that were mooted before I "left", however the joys of technology & good old SA infrastructure saw fit for my link to terminate as I was sending hence eveything was lost.

So here's the short version.

What has happened to the mines plans for implementing sustainable fish farming using the mine's sea waterholes & the central kitchen for filleting & packing?

What has happened to the mines plans for implementing Mussel & Oyster farming using the mine's sea waterholes.

There is also the opportunity for starting an Abalone farm using the existing infrastructure.

Along 5th Avenue there are numerious Olive trees, whats to stop an enterprising Oranjemund resident commencing an Oilve farm. ( I already suggested that the school purchase an oil press and produce a limited amount of olive oil to suplement funds - nothing ever came of this)

Thre was also proposals on the table to fence off the mine and allow access to luderitz via the Chamoise road, surely this is even more of an option now.

Lastly it was also proposed that once suitably fenced off, the Mittag hostel could be used as overnight accommodation for overlanders ( all the infrastructure was there BUT being left open to the elements )


So there's my my bit, quick but hopefully to the point.


WITHOUT BUY IN AND COMITTMENT FROM THE COMPANY & PRESSURE ON THE GVT FOR CHANGE NOTHING WILL CHANGE.

Tate Israel, you and your comdades have the contacts and can apply the necessary pressure, I realy like what you said about considering the town your home, I know it will always have a special place in my heart.
I wish you all the best am please keep posting

Regards Clive Symes

[Michael Alexander]

This appeared in Yesterday's Namibian, I  think this statement has appeared on a yearly basis for the last 3 years....

[Clive Symes]

Thanks Mike ,

I cleared out a stack or work diarys otherwise I would have been able to tell you when we actually started the ball rolling, but from memory it was more like 10 or more years ago.

[Michael Alexander]

Yep CLive, you are right, about 10 years ago, same story, same town...just different people......

[Clive Symes]

Mike,
Whats Israel's feedback on the topic, he started the ball, ask him to log some reply's

[Michael Alexander]

Ja, Clive.....Israel was away in WHK for some meetings and arrived back in town two days ago, with a few Ministers in tow.. I last saw him on Wednesday, briefly, he was in pain, a pinched nerve in his leg, but he will be online soon to reply, I printed a copy of his topic for him to read ...

[Clive Symes]

HI Mike Give Israel my regards, looking forward to his input

[Michael Alexander]

Ja, it seems as if he his to be flown to CPT in the next day or two, to have an OP to fix that pinched nerve.....

[Clive Symes]

Wish him all the best, Im sure he will be sorted out shortly.

[Michael Alexander]

Will do...... Sure he appreciates it.....

[Michael Alexander]

Here;s an interesting idea from Wee Bill:

"Hi Mike , read your article about future of Orangemund , very sad, my wife and family have very fond memories  of the place . I was discussing the place with my sons and one of them came up with the idea of using it as a training ground for say a United nations military rapid reaction  group , it would be ideally placed most of the trouble spots in the world at the moment could be reached in a matter of hours.
  A new port would need to be built (employing local labour of course ),
    A revenue from the United Nations would I am sure be welcome to the Namibian economy ,
    A much larger airport would be needed (local labour of course)
    There is already a technical skills base in Orangemund already, for the maintenance of mechanised military equipment .
     The infrastructure of an established town is already there (food, water,power).
     The security the area would easy be enforced by the presence of the military.
      Many civilians employed as support workers.
                               Regards Bill Struthers (Wee Bill)"

THe only downside, I can foresee, is if a Namibian government would be pro American....