Oranjemund open for all
Moments after the gates to Oranjemund's Swartkop gate control post were opened by works minister Alpheus !Naruseb along with Henry Coetzee, the mayor of the town, Tony Bessinger, head of Namdeb's transformation committee and Wayne Handley from the environment ministry, removed the boom gates from their posts where they controlled access to the town for 81 years.
On Saturday, the town was formally opened after it was first established in 1935.
“This is a very emotional event for all of us in Oranjemund,” Bessinger said. “I have lived here for more than 30 years and this is truly a historic moment.
“When I arrived here in 1985, I would have never thought that we would come to this day when our town would be opened up to the world. But, here we are and I believe this is the best decision not only for residents of Oranjemund, but for Namibia as a whole.”
There were fears that the town, established in 1935 for the workers at the diamond mine, would change irrevocably. The town has an other-worldly feel, almost as though it was held in a time capsule since the 1940s.
According to Coetzee, the transformation of the town was a difficult process.
“It was not easy, especially if you take into consideration the transformation of a town that is almost 100 years old,” he said.
“During the process, there were all kinds of emotional reactions from residents who have lived here for years and of course, that is a natural response to such a major change. But, thanks to the commitment, passion and skills of those driving the transition, everything went smoothly and we are so excited about a future full of advances and change,” he added.
On Saturday, the town was a hive of activity. The historic event was attended by many, the young and old of Oranjemund, investors, both foreign and local, and visitors from across the country, as well as some who are looking at settling in the southern town.
“It was high time that Oranjemund was opened to all. The free movement of people and goods, as stipulated in the constitution, offers the public an opportunity to conduct business in an open market. Furthermore, this opens the doors to those who want to invest in Oranjemund,” works minister Alpheus !Naruseb said.
“Oranjemund's transformation has begun and we urge you to work together to make this town the type of place that other proclaimed towns in the country will look up to.”
The opening of Oranjemund as a public place was commemorated with a plaque as well as an advertising billboard for the town's 2030 agenda. The main road was also renamed to Dr Hage Geingob Road and furthermore, the ground breaking ceremony for the new N$130-million Riverside Mall from the Safland Group, was also done.
On Friday, the new 98-kilometre tarred road to the town was officially opened making access to Oranjemund easy. Sacky Shanghala, patron of the town's 2030 agenda, said that the new road will aid in the economic growth of the town making it easy for visitors, tourists and investors to reach it.
Yochanaan Coetzee
On Saturday, the town was formally opened after it was first established in 1935.
“This is a very emotional event for all of us in Oranjemund,” Bessinger said. “I have lived here for more than 30 years and this is truly a historic moment.
“When I arrived here in 1985, I would have never thought that we would come to this day when our town would be opened up to the world. But, here we are and I believe this is the best decision not only for residents of Oranjemund, but for Namibia as a whole.”
There were fears that the town, established in 1935 for the workers at the diamond mine, would change irrevocably. The town has an other-worldly feel, almost as though it was held in a time capsule since the 1940s.
According to Coetzee, the transformation of the town was a difficult process.
“It was not easy, especially if you take into consideration the transformation of a town that is almost 100 years old,” he said.
“During the process, there were all kinds of emotional reactions from residents who have lived here for years and of course, that is a natural response to such a major change. But, thanks to the commitment, passion and skills of those driving the transition, everything went smoothly and we are so excited about a future full of advances and change,” he added.
On Saturday, the town was a hive of activity. The historic event was attended by many, the young and old of Oranjemund, investors, both foreign and local, and visitors from across the country, as well as some who are looking at settling in the southern town.
“It was high time that Oranjemund was opened to all. The free movement of people and goods, as stipulated in the constitution, offers the public an opportunity to conduct business in an open market. Furthermore, this opens the doors to those who want to invest in Oranjemund,” works minister Alpheus !Naruseb said.
“Oranjemund's transformation has begun and we urge you to work together to make this town the type of place that other proclaimed towns in the country will look up to.”
The opening of Oranjemund as a public place was commemorated with a plaque as well as an advertising billboard for the town's 2030 agenda. The main road was also renamed to Dr Hage Geingob Road and furthermore, the ground breaking ceremony for the new N$130-million Riverside Mall from the Safland Group, was also done.
On Friday, the new 98-kilometre tarred road to the town was officially opened making access to Oranjemund easy. Sacky Shanghala, patron of the town's 2030 agenda, said that the new road will aid in the economic growth of the town making it easy for visitors, tourists and investors to reach it.
Yochanaan Coetzee
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