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Namibia - in the search of diamonds - 1998

Namibia - in the search of diamonds - 1998

Jacek Pałkiewicz
2006-06-18 22:40:07

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The door behind me closed silently. I found myself in a short corridor, one of whose walls was entirely covered by a bronze-coloured mirror. I felt as if I was being watched through the glass. The warnings given to me upon my arrival were still ringing in my ears : "You may be searched at any moment. This regulation applies to everybody, from the workforce to the directors".

A signal sounded to alert me that the other door of the control zone was being opened to allow me to leave. Another long, winding corridor, decorated by large posters warning that anyone was subject to spot search, awaited me. Later on, while I was chatting outside, drawing shapes in the sand with the point of my shoe, I heard someone tell me:" Don't look at the ground too long, or else you might be tenpted..." It was the voice of Mrs Bronwen Hogan, a beautiful 37-year-old woman who was accompanying me, which gave me this advice. She was only joking, but at bottom, she wanted to stress the rigid security rules everyone was obliged to observe.
She added :"According to the security regulations, it is forbidden to pick up stones in this zone".
It was a very oppressive atmosphere and I can't deny that it got on my nerves. On the other hand, it is no wonder that such rules are enforced in a business like this, in which such immense sums of money are involved. The diamond mining company has the right to take all necessary precautions to reduce clandestine trafficking in their stones. Anyone who has any contact with the stones, whether they be African manual workers or the respectable European managers, might be moved by a sudden impulse to steal the diamonds.

One would have to be extremely honest to refuse the chance of such a large windfall profit in one blow. A rough two-carat diamond can be sold for several thousand dollars. With a handful of such "pebbles" a thief would be able to buy himself a house in Europe, a Ferrari and keep ...

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My youngest son was born in Oranjemund in 1972. We left there in 1974 having enjoyed all the facilities there at the time. Many a time my son has expressed a wish to return to his birth place, out of interest,To see his roots. There certainly was a high divorce rate there at that time, but we found it a friendly place. We left our Bull Terrier dog with one of the security families, & often wondered about him. He was called 'Buzzy' & the children missed him loads. Unfortunately the ill health of my mother lead to our return to the uk.A good move...Maybe ....who knows, it was a lovely rugged country, with good education for the younger children, fantastic health provision, & great opportunities to enhance ones status, carreer wise. We never kept in touch with anyone there, but no doubt they have all moved on by now. With the security still so very tight, I dont suppose my son James will ever fulfill his wish. It would be nice though.If there is a possibility, & anyone could help, we can be contacted via 'gsmith404@btinternet.com' Very interesting article.

Pat Smith, 2007-03-28 23:39:34