Kolmanskuppe Tree and Church!

[Michael Alexander]

Agree with you there Leon, great stuff...

If one looks how the company treated the Kolmanskop employees back in the day, one can understand why Oranjemund back in the the 69's and 70's inherited the system in the manner in which we had a cooldrink factory and the way meat and bread was subsidised....

[henniek]

This comment by Marianne leaves me wondering - and certainly leaves much questions . Who - what - when - why : -
" And then came the day when the first aeroplane was braught out to Kolmanskop to be housed in a shed. This aeroplane most probably had a wooden frame that was covered with painted fabric . And the people realy celebrated that night - and then , the very same night the plane caught fire and burned to ashes "

[Leon Sumter]

Mike I suppose Kolmanskop and then later Oranjemund were regarded as harsh environments (which of course they were) to live in so one would imagine that the employer would want to make up in what ever way they could for the uncomfortable (windy, hot and sandy) our forebearers faced in Kolmans and Oranjemund. I am not sure if this is an urban myth but I believe that some folk destined for employment in OMD took one look at Alexander Bay airport surroundings when disembarking and then got straight back onto the plane. I was always a bit skeptical about this story.

[Diana Rudd (Boehme)]

Enjoying this topic...keep it up.

[henniek]

I have fond memories of taking part as a young girl, in Christmas and Easter plays . The workshop was decorated for these special days - it was the days before we had the corrugated iron "Casino " or the recreation club .  After the celebrations we all went home with oily feet  , dispite all the cleaning of the floors . My farthers office was in the middle of the workshop with glass all around - so he had a good view of what was going on . There was also a carpenter shop that was not only doing timber things for the mine , but also made all the furniture for the houses . I dont think there is much of those pieces of furniture left , but the dining room suit in the house used by the GM when he visits Luderitz is still there .We had a painter from Germany who painted the insides of the houses with fabulous paterns and designs .

[Leon Sumter]

The rec club was built in 1927. So this account is prior 1927.

[henniek]

I was born in Pomona ,SWA. My Mother was a German and my farther Danish / German. He was in charge of the engineering section .  Everybody worked for "The company " .  One of my early childhood memories is of labourers being sent out with a jam jar , a small spade and a handbroom.  returning later the day with jars blasing with diamonds . The most beautiful gems were found at Pomona. Our house was built high on the hill where the sandstorms swept past it. I am still facinated by the sound of howling winds . The house was so solid that the elements did very little harm to it , dispite the fact that it is standing there with no maintenance being done to it for many years . We had a post office there , and that was our link to the outside world - post was delivered on late Friday afternoons . that meant that everybody went to the post office , waiting for the mail to be sorted . in its heyday Pomona was alive with people , it even had a skittle alley . remember , the Germans always built a skittle aley before anything else , because it was their favourite sport and it was also a social meeting place

[Alfred Boehme]

Hi Henniek

Here is a photo's of the skittle alley and I think the post office?

[Leon Sumter]

This fascinating. So Marianne was actually born in Pomona and the family must have moved to Kolmanskop at some later stage. I wonder if her family's Pomona house still exists (on the hill)
Alfred thanks for the Pomona pics.

[Alfred Boehme]

Maybe Henniek can spot the house on the hill

a few more hoto's

[Alfred Boehme]

more

[Alfred Boehme]

more

[Leon Sumter]

Amazing pics Alfred. It seems that all the houses were built on high ground.

[henniek]

Thanks a milion Alfred for sharing these valuable photos with us -- You made my day. re the house- take a look at pic 22 and pic 51 . Marianne mentions that her mother was fond of potted plants , and they had what she called "an indoor garden " sort of a enclosed sun room / porch that her husband added for her plants .
i add an old photo of what i think is the same house as in your collection
And look . There is a TREE in front of the house . OK .. not realy a tree ?

[henniek]

Kolmans bakery