Thanks Bob, John & John!

Pete (RIP) · May 26, 2009, 07:58:49 PM

As someone who has a deep interest in, and fascination with, Oranjemund's history, may I thank Bob Molloy, John Creedy and John Haycox for their recent contributions. There are others, of course, but they've been less consistent than those named.

The stories submitted have been absolutely fascinating - and entertaining - and have, I believe, gone some way to restore the spirit of this site to what it was originally intended to be (if you read the preamble on the Home Page). It's sad so many "members" of the site have drifted away but, with contributions such as those to which I refer, I'm sure the tempo can be increased again.

To all you "old timers", please dig deep for those recollections, tales, stories and anecdotes and share them before they are lost forever! To people of younger vintage, start recording your tales now because, in a decade or two, they will be the last of "living memory" and will be as valuable - and rare - as the rest.

SandyB · May 26, 2009, 08:01:31 PM

Too true Pete ,, I done a bit ,, then got lazy ... still lots of stories , got to stir the grey matter a bit ..

Pete (RIP) · May 26, 2009, 08:15:13 PM

Hi Sandy ~

The fact of the matter is you can research and study archive material as much as you like, but you cannot "borrow" other people's memories and experiences! Although I have been in Oranjemund for more than 20 years, I still regard myself as a newcomer who can only relate "now" stories. My writings will, in time, become of worth but, probably, only in 20 years time.

It's folks like yourself who have the "then" stories and , somewhere beyond, my children's generation who were schooled here in the 80's and will provide the "after then" stories - if you get my drift!! The problem with "history" is that it happens so fast (look at Namdeb & Oranjemund's position today versus 5 years ago) and, if we don't virtually keep a diary, the detail and sequence of events is lost.

John Creedy · May 27, 2009, 03:09:07 AM

Appreciate the kind comments and did not think of it this way. I will dig up some 50's and 60's pictures to jog my memory. I would like to maybe start a posting on the people in that era that were and remain icons. Some still live and for those who did apprenticeships with these people, we owe it to them to pass on the recognition they deserve.
John

Bertie Horak · May 27, 2009, 05:29:55 AM

That's so true, Pete. I LOVE the stories of Oranjemunders who were there before me. Also stories about happenings during my time there, for I only spent the first 14/15 years of my life there, and as a kid you live in a different world - consisting of school, sport, the Christmas tree, and childhood friends. You don't really remember so mush as the "grownups" who experienced the true life of the Oranjemund community, events and characters.
Keep 'em coming!

Richard Opperman · May 27, 2009, 03:31:27 PM

Hi Pete,

I quite agree with you...this is what the site is all about. Therefore my constant "stick to the topic" rantings.

It was quite amusing when going back to Oranjemund for the reunion last year November and people wanting to meet..."Mr. stick to the topic?"

My personal feeling is a topic of any historic meaning should be started, added to and continued with out drifting onto a lot hog wash. The hog wash, I think might be the reason many previous visitors to this site not visiting anymore.

Stories of old and interesting topics keep this site alive!

So keep posting, Bob brought back memories, stories and names I had forgotten.

Kind regards
Richard

Alfred Boehme · May 27, 2009, 08:52:06 PM

We must make notes in our diaries just a few months ago lots of things have happened and in twenty years time we not going to beable to remember half of them

eg. when was the jet rig first build?
when did they close 2 plt tunnel?

we need to keep records

John Haycox · May 28, 2009, 06:50:17 PM

Hey Guys, like John Creedy I did not think of it this way. John, you remember my boet, Jimmy, well he has all my dad's photos and stuff, he's also digging deep for some old photos. I hope he finds some interesting ones from those days.

Someone mentioned the contracted Ovambo's once. There are some stories there as well. These Ovambos were brought to CDM to work on the mines and in the home for a period of eighteen months, after which they were flown back to Ovamboland.

One of these that I remember worked with my father, in the radio shop. He was a genuine prince, but I can not remember his name, I think it was something like Gamboti. Well let call him Prince Gamboti.

Prince Gamboti came to Oranjemund as a labourer and was posted to one of the mines in the desert. After eighteen months he went home and returned as soon as he could, this time he was posted to the radio shop because someone realised he was royalty.

He came back to Oranjemund for a third time and unfortunately when they returned home, the aircraft crashed and the prince died.

I have on occasion been told that his death, turned events in Ovamboland drastically.

SandyB · May 28, 2009, 07:08:15 PM

John here is a link to some writings on our Owambo housekeepers ... enjoy Sandy

http://www.oranjemundonline.com/Forum/index.php?topic=72.0

John Haycox · May 31, 2009, 02:32:55 PM

Hi Sandy, thanks for the link, I've read all those.

Pete (RIP) · May 31, 2009, 07:53:11 PM

Quote from: Alfred Boehme on May 27, 2009, 08:52:06 PM
We must make notes in our diaries just a few months ago lots of things have happened and in twenty years time we not going to beable to remember half of them

eg. when was the jet rig first build?
when did they close 2 plt tunnel?

we need to keep records

Brilliant, Alfred - you have "hit the nail (exactly on the head"!). Please go and ascertain those dates!