BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO THE HEART OF ORANJEMUND

In a town once closed to the public and built solely to serve the diamond industry, transformation is now on the cards, with the aim of enhancing the attractive qualities of Oranjemund and giving visitors a unique experience. OMDis Town Transformation Agency has for the past 6 (six) years been laying groundwork for accelerating the economic diversification of Oranjemund, focusing primarily on large industries like agriculture and tourism. The agency has played a transformative role through a range of initiatives aimed at diversifying the town’s identity and economy.

Among these, the Art-Can-Transform project, launched in 2021, stands out for its promotion of art, craft, and culture in Oranjemund. This project has demonstrated the potential of creative expression to enrich lives, generate income, and help position Oranjemund as a distinctive travel destination.

The project began with the commissioning of 10 large-scale public murals, three public sculptural pieces, and a light installation in the newly re-curated local museum. These works were created by prominent Namibian artists, including some born and raised in Oranjemund itself. Since then, the concept of public art has taken root across various sectors of the town, growing to a total of 26 artworks. Oranjemund is proud to play its part in driving public contemporary art displays in Namibia.

A particularly inspiring element of the Art-Can-Transform initiative has been introducing artists to a region long known to Namibians by its romantic and remote name, “Sperrgebiet.” Over the past four years, three artists’ retreats, each two weeks long, have been hosted and sponsored by Namdeb and OMDis. These retreats have welcomed 28 Namibian and international artists into this spectacular and secluded wilderness. Painters, sculptors, and conceptual artists alike have drawn inspiration from the isolation and intense creative energy, resulting in an array of remarkable artworks.

Each retreat culminated in a final exhibition of the participants’ works, first in Oranjemund, and then again in Windhoek, offering a broader audience a rare glimpse into this captivating area. Highlights from past retreats are available on the YouTube channel OMDis Baker’s Bay Artists’ Retreat.

At the heart of this cultural revival is the OMDis Art Centre, now a thriving hub of creativity and opportunity. Opened in November 2023 and adorned with a vibrant wrap-around mural, the centre has quickly become a beacon in the town. With more than 250 students passing through each month, the centre pulses with artistic energy. It offers classes in music, painting, sculpting, sewing, and leatherwork. Local instructors provide daily sessions for toddlers, schoolchildren and adults, while visiting specialists teach advanced techniques, ensuring that creativity is both nurtured and elevated. An on-site exhibition space, added recently, has already hosted several shows by renowned local artists.

Further expanding its artistic footprint, the Art-Can- Transform project launched an ambitious Artists Residency Programme. Namibian and international artists are invited to live and work in Oranjemund for a month, immersing themselves in a unique creative environment. The programme piloted in 2024 with two Namibian artists and one from South Africa, who responded to the setting with enthusiasm and innovation. In 2025, the residency will welcome two artists from Windhoek and one from Germany for another month of artistic exploration and expression.

Given the town’s rich culture, deep history, biodiversity, and the intrigue that surrounds Oranjemund, tourism is becoming a key pillar in ensuring sustainability beyond mining.

The OMDis Town Transformation Agency was created as a special purpose vehicle in 2019 and formed part of a strategic initiative by Namdeb Diamond Corporation in collaboration with the Oranjemund Town Council, to ensure the long- term sustainability of Oranjemund beyond diamond mining. Through the agency, the town is redefining its narrative and embracing the ethos of mining for good. These efforts affirm Namdeb’s commitment to contributing to a community that thrives not only today, but also laying the foundation for a better tomorrow.