Oranjemund - OPEN AND ALIVE WITH ART

Oranjemund is a place that people who once lived there like to randomly slip into conversation. It’s a point of pride, a badge of honour that Oranjemunders love to shine to a high sheen as they recall a town which most people think they’re making up.

Who would believe that growing up there in the 80s and 90s, we slept with our doors unlocked if not wide open? That the sole local school seemed the centre of the universe. That telephone calls and utilities were practically free. Santa would disperse presents to the town’s children after flying into the Mule Derby in a helicopter come Christmastime or that we’d wake up to gemsbok on our front lawn, steering clear of the chaser with the bent horn.

Frans Uunona

It’s hard to believe that in this picture-perfect diamond mining town – closed to everyone but its residents – we’d spend halcyon weekends fishing on the Orange River, braaing at the astounding Atlantic, splashing into an impossibly blue public pool, playing sports at a tidy selection of clubs or sourcing cardboard boxes before careening down dunes.

For many former Oranjemunders, the rose-coloured legend of OJ is guarded fiercely.

So much so that some of us resolutely refuse to return.

Titi Tshilumba

“It just wouldn’t be the same” is the explanatory refrain. And it is understandable that we want to hold tight to our mulberry-sweet memories, guava-picking childhoods and the magical moment of the place we once knew.

But that doesn’t mean Oranjemund, fully open since 2017 and angling for tourists, isn’t thoroughly worth visiting in the present day.

In fact, after all the years of permits and mystique, wondrous Oranjemund is amidst a reimagining and some of it starts with art.

Elisia Nghidishange

A few months ago the close-knit community was descended upon by artists.

With art supplies and creativity in tow, Nicky Marais, Titi Tshilumba, Petrus Amuthenu, Frans Uunona, Elisia Nghidishange, Saima Iita, Ismael Shivute and Hercules Viljoen joined Oranjemund-based artists Aurelia Sieberhagen, Charne Witbooi and Annis Schlechter to sculpt, install and paint the town any colour they pleased as part of the OMDis Town Transform Agency’s Art Can Transform campaign.

Ronel van der Merwe, who has lived in Oranjemund for 38 years, is an OMDis sustainability specialist and is thrilled by the campaign’s numerous large-scale murals and three sculptures coordinated by Viljoen and Shivute.

Mural by Nicky Marais and Charne Witbooi

The Art Can Transform initiative is part of OMDis’ strategy to diversify Oranjemund’s economy which has been almost entirely rooted in diamond mining for the past 85 years.

“Mining is a finite activity and should it come to an abrupt end, the local community will bear the impact,” van der Merwe says.

“With this in mind, OMDis was established with the purpose of cultivating entrepreneurs, supporting local businesses and, most importantly, to secure the town’s sustainability into the future through establishing other large industries like agriculture and tourism.”

Charne Witbooi

In terms of sights and attractions, Oranjemund is no shrinking violet and begins to boast from its lush oasis entrance where Elisia Nghidishange’s Welcoming Man will say a hearty hello to visitors.

“This sculpture is meant to remind visitors to the town that they are welcome,” Nghidishange says. “The little doors on the man’s legs, with the symbols of diamonds and gemsbok inside, also symbolize the opening of Oranjemund.”

Nghidishange created the work from scrap metal and objects salvaged from Oranjemund’s rubbish dump, deftly transforming trash into tourist-welcoming treasure.

Nicky Marais

“The museum, the Jasper House, is undergoing renovation and will be opened by September,” van der Merwe says before expounding the town’s other charms.

“The beach is completely unspoilt and a popular fishing spot. The Orange River hosts a number of activities like kite surfing, kayaking, boating, angling and birding. A beautiful 18-hole golf course is every golfer’s dream.

Exploration in the surrounding area is every naturalist’s dream with rich biodiversity to be found, especially on a unique koppie called Swartkops. 4x4 enthusiasts can visit the dunes where sundowners and dune boarding is very popular. E-bikes are also for rent, which is a whole other way to experience Oranjemund and its surrounds.”

Art Can Transform Team - Charne Witbooi, Nicky Marais, Aurelia Sieberhagen, Saima Iita, Frans Uunona, Titi Tshilumba, Tony Bessinger, Petrus Amuthenu, Ronel van der Merwe

Additional plans for an art walk, exhibitions, theatre renovation and an artist retreat are also on the table, which will only add to Oranjemund’s still somewhat underrated allure.

“The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Children as young as four years old were very interested, often interrupting the artists with questions, comments, and even bringing them beverages,” says van der Merwe who cannot wait to welcome tourists to the transformed town and imagines a Namibia where a complete art route snakes across the country, enticing a whole new type of tourist.

“Wouldn’t it be great if other towns in Namibia followed suit?”

ART WALK

A quick guide to the featured works which focus on the history, industry, natural heritage, opening and future of the town. Artworks can be viewed and selfies can be taken at the venues below.

Welcoming Man, a sculpture by Elisia Nghidishange, will be installed at the entrance to the town.

Opening Up murals by Nicky Marais and Charne Witbooi are located next to Spar, at the swimming pool and on the wall at Woolworths.

The Building Foundation mural by Petrus Amuthenu is situated at the Little Theatre.

Petrus Amuthenu mural

The Safety Always mural by Frans Uunona is located at the Night Call club.

Frans Uunona mural

The Tourism mural by Titi Tshilumba is at the Snooker and Darts Club.

Titi Tshilumba mural

Biodiversity murals by Aurelia Sieberhagen and Annis Schlechter are on substations at the old boom gate, as well as on the industrial road and at 7 th Avenue toward the eastern side of town.

Ostrich mural by Aurelia Sieberhagen

The Gold Coins Found sculpture by Saima Iita will be placed in the museum garden opposite Spar.

An Gemsbok sculpture by Ismael Shivute will be on display in a park across the way from the museum in the CBD.

Gemsbok by Ismael Shivute

Follow @OMDisOranjemund on Facebook for more information.

Martha Mukaiwa is a columnist and writer based in Windhoek, Namibia inbetween spirited sojourns around the world. Her narrative nonfiction, personal essays, travel writing and short stories have appeared in Travel Africa, Quartz, Fields & Stations, Holiday, The Africa Report, Truthdig, Matador Network, Africa is a Country, The Namibian & The Kalahari Review. Martha is an honorary writing fellow at the University of Iowa. Read more at marthamukaiwa.com.

Photography: OMDis Town Transform Agency